The antifungal activity of triterpenoid saponins, with hederagenin or oleanolic acid as aglycone, was investigated in vitro by the agar dilution method. Monodesmosidic hederagenin derivatives were shown to exhibit a broad spectrum of activity against yeast as well as dermatophyte species. alpha-Hederin was the most active compound, and Candida glabrata was the most susceptible strain. The structure-activity relationships are discussed.

Seven flavonol 3- O-glycosides were isolated from the flowers of CALENDULA OFFICINALIS L. Their structures were elucidated as isorhamnetin 3- O-glucoside, rutinoside, neohesperidoside, 2 (G)-rhamnosylrutinoside, quercetin glucoside, neohesperidoside, and 2 (G)-rhamnosylrutinoside by paper and thin layer chromatography, UV, (13)C-NMR, and mass spectroscopy. The interglycosidic linkages of isorhamnetin 3- O-neohesperidoside, 2 (G)-rhamnosylrutinoside, quercetin 3- O-neohesperidoside and structural determination of quercetin 2 (G)-rhamnosylrutinoside are described for the first time in CALENDULA OFFICINALIS.

From the leaves of Hederá helix four new triterpenoid saponins, hederasaponins E [11, F [2], H [7], and I [81, and one known saponin (cauloside F) were isolated and characterized by chemical and spectroscopic methods.Saponins from the leaves of Hederá helix L. (Araliaceae) have antifungal, anthelmintic, molluscicidal, antileishmanial, and antimutagenic activities (1-5). Major saponins related to hederagenin and oleanolic acid have been found (6)(7)(8).As a part of our investigations of H. helix, we have previously reported the isolation and identification of hederasaponins B [6], C [4], and D (saponin K 10) [5] (9).

Thirteen saponins were isolated and identified from Calendula officinalis, C. arvensis and Hedera helix. Mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of these products were investigated using a modified liquid incubation technique of the Salmonella/microsomal assay. The Salmonella tester strain TA98 +/- S9 mix was used. Screening of the antimutagenic activity was performed with a known promutagen: benzo-[a]pyrene (BaP) and a mutagenic urine concentrate from a smoker (SU). Antimutagenic activities were also compared with the activity of chlorophyllin. All the saponins were found to be non-toxic and non-mutagenic for doses of 400 micrograms. Chlorophyllin inhibited the mutagenic activities of BaP (1 microgram) and SU (5 microliters) in a dose-dependent manner. The four saponins from C. arvensis and the three saponins from H. helix showed antimutagenic activity against BaP (1 microgram) and SU (5 microliters) with a dose-response relationship. The possible mechanism of the antimutagenic activity of saponins is discussed.

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