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Planta Med 1981; 42(8): 356-363
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-971655
Research Articles

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Effects of Saikosaponins on Biological Membranes

3. Ultrastructural Studies on Effects of Saikosaponins on the Cell SurfaceH. Abe1 , H. Konishi1 , H. Komiya2 , S. Arichi1
  • 1Research Institute of Oriental Medicine, Kinki University School of Medicine, Sayama-cho, Minami-kawachi-gun, Osaka, Japan
  • 2Institute of Life Science, Kinki University School of Medicine, Sayama-cho, Minami-kawachi-gun, Osaka, Japan
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Publication History

Publication Date:
30 March 2007 (online)

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Abstract

The effects of plant saponins, saikosaponins a, b1, b2, c and d extracted from Bupleuri Radix, on the surface contours and the distribution of surface anionic sites of EHRLICH ascites tumour cells were examined by electron microscope. Saikosaponins d and a having the bridged 13β, 28-epoxyoleanene system in the aglycone D-ring, which show stronger haemolytic activity and higher pharmacological potency than other saikosaponins, were found to cause a significant decrease in the negative charge on the cell surface and the destruction of microvilli. These results suggest that the biologically potent saponins have an effect on the negatively charged carbohydrate portions of cell membrane.

Key Word Index

Bupleurum falcatum L. - Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) - Saikosaponin - Saponin - Anionic Site

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