Biologically Active Triterpene Saponins from Bupleurum fruticosum

Abstract

Extracts of the root of B. fruticosum L. showed in a biological Screening hemolytical activity, hepatoprotective and phagocytosis stimiilating effects, and a specific inhibitory activity of leucine amino-peptidase. Further monitoring of the fraction with antihepatotoxic activity led to the isolation of an hepatoprotective saikosaponin identified as buddlejasaponin IV and the new malonylbuddlejasaponin IV, determined as saikogenin F-3-O-[6-O-malonyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→3)]-β-D-fucopyranoside. The structures were elucidated on the basis of the chemical and spectroscopic data.

Key words

Bupleurum fruticosum - Apiaceae - saikosaponin - malonylsaikosaponin - antihepatotoxic activity - granulocyte phagocytosis Stimulation - leucine aminopeptidase inhibition