The Effects of Saikosaponins on Biological Membranes

Abstract

The relationship between haemolytic activity and the structure of saikosaponins which were isolated from the root of Bupleurum falcatum L. was investigated. It was confirmed that the bridged 13β, 28–epoxyoleanene system in saikosaponin is important to haemolytic activity and that the axial C16β–OH and C23–OH group are also significant for haemolysis as well as the number of sugar moieties. In addition it was found that haemolysis by saikosaponins is inhibited by the addition of adenine and inosine to the incubation medium.