Steroidal Saponins fromAsparagus officinalisand Their Cytotoxic Activity

Abstract

Two oligofurostanosides were isolated from the seeds of Asparagus officinalis L and their structures characterized as 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl- (1-->4))-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-26-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-(25R) -22 alpha-methoxyfurost-5-ene-3 beta,26-diol(methyl protodioscin) and its corresponding 22 alpha-hydroxy analogue (protodioscin). The structural identification was performed using detailed analysis of 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra including two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy (COSY, HMQC, NOESY and HMBC), and chemical conversions. These two compounds have been shown to inhibit the growth of human leukemia HL-60 cells in culture and macromolecular synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect on DNA synthesis was found to be irreversible.

Cytotoxic Activity of Paris quadrifolia Extract and Isolated Saponin Fractions Against Human Tumor Cell Lines

“…Steroidal saponins structurally similar to the compounds of Paris quadrifolia have been isolated from different Liliaceae plants and investigated against human cancer cell lines (Mimaki et al, 1995;Shao et al, 1997;Woo et al, 1998;Mimaki et al, 2001;Wang et al, 2001) IC50 -50% inhibition of cell growth. Values are means ± SD of three independent experiments.…”

“…Numerous reports highlight the highly cytotoxic and anti-tumor properties of many saponins (Hostettmann and Marston, 1995). Much research indicates that extracts and steroidal saponins of Liliaceae plants have significant effects and potentially are anticancer drugs (Mimaki et al, 1995;Shao et al, 1997;Woo et al, 1998;Mimaki et al, 2001;Wang et al, 2001).…”

Effects of Two Saponins Extracted from the Polygonatum Zanlanscianense Pamp on the Human Leukemia (HL-60) Cells.

“…(2) Phagocytosis Test: Cells (1ϫ10 6 ) were suspended in serum-free RPMI 1640 medium containing 0.2% latex particles (average diameter was 0.806 mm; Sigma Chemical) and incubated at 37°C for 4 h. After incubation, the cells were washed once with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The cells containing more than 10 latex particles were scored as phagocytic cells.…”

<b>Further flavonol glycosides of <i>Embelia schimperi</i> leaves</b>

“…The FAB mass spectrum results indicated galactosylgalactoside bios as evidenced by the cleavage behaviour (see experimental section). In the 13 C NMR spectrum a signal due to C-4'' of residual galactose shifted downfield at δ 82.40 in comparison to isorhamnetin 3-O-β-glucoside (3), suggesting interglycosidic linkage at this position. This was corroborated by HMBC correlation between the anomeric proton (δ 4.65) of terminal galactose and a carbon (δ 82.40) assigned to C-4'' of the residual galactose and further confirmed by NOESY cross peaks between the terminal galactose anomeric proton (δ 4.65) and the C-4'' proton (δ 3.68).…”