On the preparation, microscopic investigation and application of ISCOMs

ISCOM matrices constitute colloidal structures formed from Quillaja saponins, cholesterol and phospholipid. Addition of protein antigens to these matrices leads to the formation of ISCOMs. In this review we report on microscopic investigations of ISCOM matrices and ISCOMs as well as related colloidal structures, such as helices, worm-like micelles, ring-like micelles, and lamellae structures. We briefly outline the immunologic basis for the use of ISCOMs as vaccine delivery systems, and describe the various methods to form ISCOMs. Negative staining transmission electron micrographs of all colloidal structures are presented and described. On the basis of our microscopic investigations, different formation mechanisms of ISCOMS are discussed.     

The NMR studies on two new furostanol saponins from Agave sisalana leaves

The detailed NMR studies and full assignments of the 1H and 13C spectral data for two new furostanol saponins isolated from Agave sisalana leaves are described. Their structures were established using a combination of 1D and 2D NMR techniques including 1H, 13C, 1H-1H COSY, TOCSY, HSQC, HMBC and HSQC-TOCSY, and also FAB-MS spectrometry and chemical methods. The structures were established as (25S)-26-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-22 xi-hydroxyfurost-12-one-3beta-yl-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-O-[O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-galacto- pyranoside (1) and (25S)-26-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-22xi-hydroxyfurost-5-en-12-one-3beta-yl-O-alpha-L-rhamno- pyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-O-[O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl- (1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (2).     

ESI-QqTOF-MS/MS and APCI-IT-MS/MS analysis of steroid saponins from the rhizomes of Dioscorea panthaica

Using high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry along with an electrospray ionization source (ESI-QqTOF-MS), accurate molecular weights of 13 steroid saponins extracted from the rhizomes of Dioscorea panthaica were acquired and the corresponding molecular formulae obtained. In order to elucidate the fragmentation pathways of steroid saponins in D. panthaica, 10 authentic samples were investigated using ESI-QqTOF-MS/MS. In addition, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry combined with ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (APCI-IT-MS/MS) was used to analyze the structures of 13 steroid saponins in D. panthaica. Through the analysis of their tandem mass data, diagnostic fragment ions of the spirostanol and furostanol steroid saponins in D. panthaica were detected as m/z 271.2056 and 253.1951. In addition, four pairs of isomers were detected and the possible structures of four unknown steroid saponins in D. panthaica speculated. ESI-TOF and APCI-MS(n) have proved to be effective tools for research on fragmentation mechanism of steroid saponins and the rapid determination of native steroid saponins in extract mixture, thereby avoiding tedious derivation and separation steps.     

Efficient Synthesis of Flaccidoside II,a Bioactive Component of Chinese Folk Medicine Di Wu

A bidesmosidic triterpene saponin, flaccidoside II, which was isolated from Di Wu, a Chinese folk medicine from dry rhizome of Anemone flaccida Fr. Schmidt, was efficiently synthesized in a convergent approach. We employed two glycosyl trichloroacetimidate donors in a one-pot reaction as a key step.

[Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of the Journal of Carbohydrate Chemistry for the following free supplemental resource(s): ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and HR mass spectra for all synthesized compounds, 2, 6, 9-11, and Flaccidoside II (1)     

Synthesis of novel mannopyranosyl betulinic acid phosphoniohexyl ester

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Saponins: the phytochemical with an emerging potential for curing clinical depression

Depression is on the rise globally and expected to lead in global burden of diseases by 2030. The current therapy has serious limitations in terms of safety, efficacy, tolerability and therapeutic success. This review, based on the literature of the last decade, is aimed at exploring the preclinical profile of plant-based saponins (the abundant secondary metabolite) as an emerging therapy for depression. Enough scientific evidences reflect that saponins promote neurogenesis, restore monoaminergic tone and enhance neurotrophic factors. In multiple stress models, they have exhibited adaptogenic effects via normalising hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis, corticosterone levels and oxidative stress. Scientific data revealed neuroprotective effect of saponins by inhibiting apoptosis and intraneuronal calcium dynamics. Many plants possessing saponins as their principal antidepressant moiety need investigation at clinical level. Last decade literature revealed numerous preclinical reports supporting the role of saponins as natural cure for depression and justified their inclusion in antidepressant drug discovery programs.     

Two new triterpenoid saponins from Pittosporum senacia Putterlick (Pittosporaceae)

From the branches of Pittosporum senacia Putterlick (Pittosporaceae), two new triterpenoid saponins, senaciapittosides A and B (1, 2), were isolated. Their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of one‐ and two‐dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, high‐resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR‐ESIMS) and chemical evidence as 3‐O‐[β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)]‐[α‐l ‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)]‐[α‐l ‐arabinofuranosyl‐(1 → 4)]‐β‐d ‐glucuronopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28‐O‐β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl ester (1) and 3‐O‐[β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)]‐[α‐l ‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)]‐[α‐l ‐arabinofuranosyl‐(1 → 4)]‐β‐d ‐glucuronopyranosyl‐22‐O‐α‐l ‐arabinopyranosyl‐21‐acetoxy R1‐barrigenol (2). Compound 2 presents an unusual glycosylation at C‐22 of its aglycone. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Revised structures of avenacosides A and B and a new sulfated saponin from Avena sativa L.

The revised structures of avenacosides A and B and a new sulfated steroidal saponin isolated from grains of Avena sativa L. were elucidated. Their structures and complete NMR assignments are based on 1D and 2D NMR studies and identified as nuatigenin 3‐O‐{α‐l ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside}‐26‐O‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside (1), nuatigenin 3‐O‐{α‐l ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside}‐26‐O‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside (2), and nuatigenin 3‐O‐{α‐l ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐d ‐6‐O‐sulfoglucopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside}‐26‐O‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside (3). Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New Triterpenoid Glycosides from the Roots of Camellia oleifera Abel

Five new triterpenoid saponins, oleiferosides I–M ( 1 – 5 , resp.) were isolated from the roots of Camellia oleifera Abel . Their structures were elucidated by a combination of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and chemical methods. All the compounds were identified as oleanane‐type saponins with sugar moieties linked to C(3) of the aglycone. In addition, cytotoxic activities of these saponins were evaluated against four human tumor cell lines (A549, B16, BEL‐7402, and MCF‐7) by using the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) in vitro assay. All of the compounds showed significant cytotoxic activities against the tested cell lines.     

New Pentacyclic Triterpenoids from Centella asiatica

Three new pentacyclic triterpenoids, named centellasaponins G, H, and F ( 1 – 3 , resp.), together with four known compounds, 4 – 7 , were isolated from the whole plants of Centella asiatica. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectral analysis, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR and HR‐MS experiments, and by comparison with literature data.