Planta Med 2005; 71(11): 1088-1090
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-873112
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Structure-Activity-Relationship of Saponins to Enhance Toxic Effects of Agrostin

M. F. Melzig1 , P. Hebestreit1 , G. Gaidi2 , M. A. Lacaille-Dubois2
  • 1Institute of Pharmacy, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • 2Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, UMIB, UPRES-EA 3660, University of Burgundy, Dijon Cedex, France
Further Information

Publication History

Received: March 16, 2005

Accepted: May 27, 2005

Publication Date:
14 October 2005 (online)

Abstract

Saponins with an aldehyde function bound at C-4 from different plant origins increase the cytotoxicity of the lectin agrostin by enhancing its penetration through the cell membrane. Experiments with different pure saponins in combination with agrostin showed that also the glycosidic part of acidic bisdesmosidic saponins especially the oligosaccharidic ester chain at C-28 plays an important role in the potentiation of agrostin’s cytotoxicity as result of an interaction between saponins and lectins at the cell membrane.

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Prof. M. F. Melzig

Institute of Pharmacy

Free University Berlin

Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4

14195 Berlin

Germany

Phone: +49-30-838-51451

Fax: +49-30-838-51461

Email: melzig@zedat.fu-berlin.de

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