Saponins of pericarps of Chinese Sapindus delavayi (Pyi-shiau-tzu), a source of natural surfactants

Study on Supramolecules in Traditional Chinese Medicine Decoction

With the application of the concept of supramolecular chemistry to various fields, a large number of supramolecules have been discovered. The chemical components of traditional Chinese medicine have various sources and unique structures. During the high-temperature boiling process, various active components form supramolecules due to complex interactions. The supramolecular structure in a traditional Chinese medicine decoction can not only be used as a drug carrier to promote the absorption and distribution of medicinal components but may also have biological activities superior to those of single active ingredients or their physical mixtures. By summarizing the relevant research results over recent years, this paper introduces the research progress regarding supramolecules in various decoctions, laying a foundation for further research into supramolecules in traditional Chinese medicine decoctions, and provides a new perspective for revealing the compatibility mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine, guiding clinical medications, and developing new nanometers materials.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Sapindus delavayi, a species endemic to China

Sapindus delavayi, widely distributed in central to southwest of China, is an economically important forest tree. The chloroplast genome is 159,861 bp in length with a typical circular quadripartite structure, containing 129 genes (84 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNAs, and eight rRNAs). Our phylogenetic result clearly showed that S. delavayi and S. mukorossi have the closest relationship.

Laboratory and Field Evaluation of the Phytotoxic Activity of Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn Pulp Extract and Identification of a Phytotoxic Substance

Interest in finding plant-based herbicides to supplement synthesized herbicides is increasing. Although the extract of Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn has been reported to have herbicidal activity, little is known about phytotoxic substances and their efficacy of weed control in the field. To identify phytotoxic substances, the bioassay-guided fractionation by column chromatography and high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was carried out. The phytotoxic activity assay, performed by the agar medium method, showed that the 70% ethanol fraction exhibited strong root growth inhibition against Trifolium pratense with an 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of 35.13 mg/L. An active compound was isolated from the 70% ethanol fraction and identified as hederagenin 3-o-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-l-arabinopyranoside (Compound A). Compound A had an IC₅₀ value of 16.64 mg/L. Finally, a new formulation was prepared based on the 70% ethanol fraction, which exhibited good efficacy against broadleaf weeds in a carrot field. The fresh weight control efficacy was 78.7% by 45 days after treatment at the dose of 1500 g a. i./ha. Hence, the extract of S. mukorossi pulp could be a promising supplement to the synthesized herbicides. Furthermore, compound A from S. mukorossi may be responsible for its phytotoxic activity.

Triterpenoid saponins from the pulp of Sapindus mukorossi and their antifungal activities

Under the guidance of anti-fungal bioassay, four previously undescribed oleanane-type and one lupane-type triterpenoid saponins, along with twelve known analogues, were isolated from the extract of Sapindus mukorossi pulps. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods. In vitro biotests, oleanolic acid 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-L-arabinopyranoside showed inhibitory activity against Trichophyton rubrum with MIC₈₀ value of 8 μg/mL, while oleanolic acid 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-L-arabinopyranoside exhibited inhibitory activity against both Trichophyton rubrum and Candida albicans with MIC₈₀ values of 8 μg/mL.

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of oleanolic acid trisaccharide saponins

An array of oleanolic acid-type saponins based on β-hederin has been synthesized in a linear or one-pot manner. The cell viability assays indicate that synthetic saponins show antiproliferation activities in three cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 2.4-15.1 μM and hederacolchiside A₁ being the most potent. The results demonstrate that the type of terminal monosaccharides and linkage position have apparent effects on cytotoxicities and selectivities of these saponins against cancer cell lines tested. This study is helpful for future development of more potent anticancer leads.

Two new glycosides isolated from Sapindus mukorossi fruits: effects on cell apoptosis and caspase-3 activation in human lung carcinoma cells

Two new glycosides (1, 2) and two saponins (3, 4) were isolated from the fruits of Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn. The two glycosides were designated as sapindoside G (1) and 4'',4'''''-O-diacetylmukurozioside IIa (2). All four compounds exhibited inhibitory effects against A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells with inhibition rates up to 69.2-83.3% at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that compounds 1-4 could suppress A549 cell growth by promoting cell apoptosis, which was related to the activation of caspase-3.

Two new triterpenoid saponins from the aerial parts of Anemone taipaiensis

Phytochemical study on the aerial parts of Anemone taipaiensis for the first time led to the isolation of two new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins 1 and 2, together with four known saponins (3-6). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidences. Saponins 2-4 exhibited cytotoxicity against human glioblastoma U251MG cell line with IC50 values ranging from 1.56 to 80.62 μM.

Oleanane-type triterpene oligoglycosides with pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity from the pericarps of Sapindus rarak

The methanolic extract from the pericarps of Sapindus rarak DC. was found to show pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity (IC50=ca. 614 microg/mL). From the extract, oleanane-type triterpene oligoglycosides, rarasaponins I-III (1-3), and raraoside A (4), were isolated together with 13 known saponins and four known sesquiterpene glycosides. Among them, several saponin constituents including rarasaponins I (1, IC50=131microM) and II (2, 172microM), and raraoside A (4, 151microM) inhibited pancreatic lipase activity, which were stronger than that of theasaponin E(1) (270microM).

[Studies on the constituents of cucurbitaceous plants]

I have an opportunity to have co-operative studies with Chinese group of Kunming Institute of Botany. Since then, I have investigated the chemical constituents of a number of Chinese plants of Araliaceae, Umbelliferae, Labiatae, Cucurbitaceae and other families. This review describes the structural elucidation of the cucurbitane, oleanane and dammarane glycosides, and their biological activities under the joint studies on cucurbitaceous plants, Bolbostemma, Hemsleya, Siraitia and Neoalsomitra species. New oleanane glycosides having novel cyclic structure were isolated from Bolbostemma paniculatum. The potent solubilizing effect of these compounds was investigated. A number of cucurbitane glycosides were isolated from Hemsleya carnosiflora, H. panacis-scandens, Siraitia grosvenorii and S. siamensis. Some of these glycosides taste sweet, bitter or tasteless. The structure-taste relationships of the glycosides of a 3-alpha-hydroxy-cucurbit-5-ene-type triterpene have been discussed. Anti-tumor-promotion effects as well as the ecdysteroid agonist and antagonist activities of these cucurbitane glycosides were investigated. New dammarane glycosides were isolated from Neoalsomitra integrifoliola.

Anti-platelet aggregation triterpene saponins from the galls of Sapindus mukorossi

Bioassay-directed fractionation of an ethanolic extract of the galls of Sapindus mukorossi has resulted in the isolation of two new tirucallane-type triterpenoid saponins, sapinmusaponins Q (1) and R (2), along with three known oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins (3-5). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical hydrolysis. Biological evaluation showed that both sapinmusaponins Q and R demonstrated more potent anti-platelet aggregation activity than aspirin.

Complete 1H and 13C NMR assignments of six saponins from Sapindus trifoliatus

Complete 1H and 13C spectral assignments are reported for six saponins from the pericarp of Sapindus trifoliatus (Hindi name: Reetha) collected from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, India, using only 1D and 2D NMR methods. The structures of the compounds were elucidated as hederagenin 3-O-(3-O-acetyl-beta-D-xylopyranosyl)-(1-3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)-alpha-L-ara-binopyranoside, hederagenin 3-O-(4-O-acetyl-beta-D-xylop-yranosyl)-(1-3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)-alpha-L-arabinop-yranoside, hederagenin 3-O-(3,4-O-diacetyl-beta-D-xylopy-ranosyl)-(1-3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)-alpha-L-arabinopy-ranoside, hederagenin 3-O-(3,4-O-diacetyl-alpha-L-arabinop-yranosyl)-(1-3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)-alpha-L-arabinop-yranoside, hederagenin 3-O-(beta-D-xylopyranosyl)-(1-3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside and he-deragenin 3-O-(alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)-(1-3)-alpha-L-rhamno-pyranosyl-(1-2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside. It is concluded that saponins of this complexity approach the limit of structural complexity, which can be solved by NMR alone, precisely and quickly.

A new triterpene saponin from Pittosporum viridiflorum from the Madagascar rainforest

A novel triterpenoid saponin, pittoviridoside (1), which possesses an unusual 2,3,4-trisubstituted glycosidic linkage, has been isolated from Pittosporum viridiflorum using the engineered yeast strains 1138, 1140, 1353, and Sc-7 for bioactivity-guided fractionation. The structure of this compound was determined to be 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)]-[alpha-D-arabinopyranosyl(1-->3)],[alpha-l-arabinofuranosyl(1-->4)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-21-angeloyl-22-senecioylolean-12-en-3beta,15alpha,16alpha,21beta,22alpha,28-hexol by spectral, chemical, and GC analyses. This compound showed weak cytotoxicity against the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line.

Acetylated triterpene saponins from the Thai medicinal plant, Sapindus emarginatus

From the pericarps of Sapindus emarginatus (Sapindaceae), three new acetylated triterpene saponins were isolated together with hederagenin and five known triterpene saponins, as well as one known sweet acyclic sesquiterpene glycoside, mukurozioside IIb. The structures of new compounds were elucidated as hederagenin 3-O-(2-O-acetyl-beta-D-xylopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside, 23-O-acetyl-hederagenin 3-O-(4-O-acetyl-beta-D-xylopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside and oleanolic acid 3-O-(4-O-acetyl-beta-D-xylopyranosyl)-(1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside by chemical and spectroscopic data.

Altered Zn status by alpha-hederin in the pregnant rat and its relationship to adverse developmental outcome

The hypothesis that an acute-phase reaction in the pregnant animal causes a systemic redistribution of Zn, resulting in a transient but developmentally adverse Zn deficiency in the embryo, was tested by treating pregnant rats during organogenesis with alpha-hederin, an agent reported to induce substantial metallothionein (MT) synthesis in rat liver, and determining hepatic MT concentration, hepatic and plasma Zn concentration, and systemic distribution of a pulse of 65Zn after treatment. Developmental toxicity was assessed by evaluating morphologic development in term fetuses. A single dose of alpha-hederin, injected sc at dosages of 3 to 300 mumol/kg, caused an acute phase response, indicated by decreased Fe and Zn, and increased Cu, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, and ceruloplasmin concentration in plasma, along with a dosage-related increase in maternal hepatic MT concentration. The maximum induction of MT was 11 to 15-fold greater than control and occurred at dosages of 30 mumol/kg and higher, and MT concentration reached its peak 12 to 24 h after treatment. Zn concentration in liver and liver cytosol increased along with MT, reaching a maximum level at dosages of 30 mumol/kg and higher. Plasma Zn concentration decreased after alpha-hederin treatment to a level approximately 75% of control at a dosage of 30 mumol/kg and 50% of control at 300 mumol/kg. Therefore, hepatic MT induction was associated with most, but not all, of the decrease in plasma Zn concentration. Zn distribution was evaluated by giving an oral pulse of 65Zn 8 h after treatment with 0, 30, or 300 mumol/kg alpha-hederin on gestation day 11, and measuring 65Zn levels 18 h after treatment. The fraction of 65Zn distributed to the liver of treated rats (either dosage) was twice that of control, but distribution of 65Zn to other maternal tissues was decreased. 65Zn accumulation by conceptuses was significantly decreased, attributable to decreased accumulation in decidua, but not in visceral yolk sacs or embryos; however, at this stage of development the decidua accounts for a greater quantity of Zn than either of the other products of conception and may serve as the Zn-storing tissue for the conceptus. Both 30 and 300 mumol/kg increased resorption incidence, and 300 mumol/kg also decreased fetal weight and increased the incidence of abnormal fetuses. Serum collected from rats two hours after alpha-hederin treatment (i.e., before the onset of MT synthesis) supported rat embryo development in vitro, whereas serum collected 18 h after treatment did not. Adding Zn to this serum restored normal embryonic development.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)