Plant saponin

Sparg SG et al (2004) Biological activities and distribution of plant saponins. J Ethnopharm 94 219... 

Marston, A., K. Hostettmann, J. B. Harborne, and F. A. Tomas-Barberan. 1991. Plant saponins chemistry and molluscicidal action. Ecological chemistry biochemistry plant terpenoids. Proc. Phytochem. Soc. Europe 31. p. 264-286. 

Avenacinase, an enzyme from G. graminis var. avenae, is related to tomatinase from S. lycopersici because is able to deglucosilate tomatine by identical mode of action. However, the activity is very low and corresponds to approximately 2% of its activity towards avenacin A-1 [32]. Tomatinase form S. lycopersici, also can cleave avenacin A-l but has less than 0.01% of activity towards it in comparison to its activity towards tomatine [32]. Therefore, the two enzymes are highly specific for their respective host plant saponins. Purification and characterization of S. lycopersici tomatinase revealed that this enzyme shares many properties (including immunological cross-reactivity) with avenacinase... 

Saponins appear to lower plasma LDL cholesterol concentration by interfering with cholesterol absorption. Studies in rats and monkeys fed naturally occurring saponins exhibited significant reductions in cholesterol absorption efficiency and an increase in fecal cholesterol excretion (Malinow et al., 1981 Nakamura et al., 1999 Sidhu et al., 1987). Decreased bile acid absorption and increased excretion has also been reported in animals fed saponins (Malinow et al., 1981 Nakamura et al., 1999 Stark and Madar, 1993). One possible mechanism of action for decreased cholesterol absorption is the ability of saponins to form insoluble complexes with cholesterol (Gestetner et al., 1972 Malinow et al., 1977). In an effort to isolate the specific properties of saponins, Malinow (1985) prepared a variety of synthetic saponins in which the complex carbohydrate moieties of native plant saponins were replaced with simplified carbohydrates such as glucose or cellobiose. One of these synthetic saponins, tiqueside (Pfizer, Inc.), can effectively precipitate cholesterol from micelle solutions in vitro and inhibit cholesterol absorption in a variety of animals (Harwood et al., 1993) and in humans (Harris et al., 1997). But despite ample data showing the formation of a saponin/cholesterol complex in vitro, there is essentially no definitive evidence that complexation occurs in the intestinal lumen (Morehouse et al., 1999). 

Osbourn, A.E., Wubben, J.P., Daniels, M J. Saponin detoxification by phytopathogenic fungi. In Plant-Microbe Interactions Volume 2. Stacey, G, Keen, N.T. ed., New York Chapman and Hall, 1995a, pp. 99-124. Osbourn, A. Bowyer, P., Lunness, P., Clarke, B., Daniels, M. Fungal pathogens of oat roots and tomato leaves employ closely related enzymes to detoxify different host plant saponins. Mol Plant Microb Interact 1995b 8 971-978. 

From Plant Saponins to 16 -Methyl Intermediates. With the Bhopal disaster in India in mind, the initial program of work with our colleagues in Mexico City was directed at reexamining an alternative process to the existing process using diazomethane as a reagent for the introduction of the 16 p -methyl group (Scheme 9, Routes B and A, respectively). 

Conversion oflhx-HydroxylatedBetamethasone Intermediate into Betamethasone Alcohol in Puerto Rico. As indicated in the section entitled From Plant Saponins to 16 p-Methyl Intermediates, the most inefficient steps in processing the final intermediate from Mexico (i.e., XLI) into betamethasone alcohol were the steps to introduce the A911 double bond into XLI. The process sequence is outline in Scheme 11. 

Saponins are glycosides found in number of plants. Saponins are regarded as high molecular weight compounds in which, a sugar molecule is combined with triterpene or steroid aglycone. The saponins are classified in two groups ... 

Plant saponins are not normally considered to be promising anticancer lead compounds, partly because of problems with general toxicity. One exception to this rule is the acylated cholestane diglycoside OSW-1 (31), which was isolated from the bulbs of Omithogalum saundersiaehj Sashida and coworkers in 1992. In addition to OSW-1 three related compounds were also isolated and two were tested for inhibitory activity on cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase. OSW-1 and the related compound 32 were the most active, with IC50 values of 55 and 5 pmoir, respectively. ... 

Santos WR, Bernardo RR, Pecanha LMT, Palatnik M, Parente JP, De Sousa CBP (1997) Haemolytic Activities of Plant Saponins and Adjuvants. Effect of Periandra mediterranea Saponin on the Humoral Response to the FML Antigen of Leishmania donovani. Vaccine 15 1024... 

Advances in the development of new chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques and new biological test systems, particularly in the last decade permitted to increase considerably the number of well defined biologically active plant saponins, as has been reported in several reviews [2-5]. 

Rao, A.V., Anticarcinogenic properties of plant saponins. Presented at Second International Symposium on the Role of Soy in Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease, Brussels, Belgium, September 15-18,... 

Bingham, R., B. A. Bellow, and J.G. Bellow. 1975. Yucca plant saponin in the management of arthritis. /. Appl. Nutr. 27 45-50. Cheeke, P.R., S. Piacente, and W. Oleszek. 2006. Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of Yucca schidigera A review. /. Inflamm. 3 6. 

NRRL plant saponins hydrolysis of glycosides to aglycones (sapogenins) K-478 K-479... 

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