PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

H.S. CODE

TOXICITY

CLASSIFICATION

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

slightly soluble

SOLVENT SOLUBILITY

REFRACTIVE INDEX

NFPA RATINGS

AUTOIGNITION

FLASH POINT

GENERAL DESCRIPTION & APPLICATIONS

Anti-inflammatory action of saikosaponins isolated from the root of Bupleurum falcatum L were examined using female albino rats. The anti-exudative action by granuloma pouch method and the antigranulomatous action by cotton pellet method were demonstrated with i.m. and oral administrations of saikosaponins. The oral administration of saikosaponins in 10 times the dosage of i.m. injection showed almost the same effect. Among saikosaponins isolated from Bupleurum falcatum, saikosaponins a and d, not c, were demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory action. The relationship between structure and action of saikosaponins was discussed. No changes in body weight, adrenal weight, plasma-11-OH-corticosteroid level and hematocrit value were observed. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)

The separation and isolation of an extract of Bupleurum falcatum were performed based on antiallergic activities in preliminary studies with higher plants. The final active compound was identified as saikosaponin-A (SSA), a triterpenoid glycoside. SSA at more than 1 mg/kg (i.v.) significantly inhibited the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction in rats in a dose-dependent manner, attaining a maximum inhibition of approximately 60% with 10 mg/kg. SSA at 3 and 10 mg/kg also suppressed asthmatic bronchoconstriction in sensitized guinea-pigs. SSA possesses a weak inhibitory activity on histamine-induced tracheal contraction in guinea-pigs and on histamine release induced by A-23187 in rat mast cells. These results indicate that SSA has an inhibitory activity against allergic asthma. This activity seems to derive from both antagonism of the histamine action and inhibition of allergic mediators. Additional mechanisms may also be involved. (http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/)

Saikosaponin C is one of the saikosaponins that are consisted in a Chinese herb, Radix Bupleuri. Recently, saikosaponins have been reported to have properties of cell growth inhibition, inducing cancer cells differentiation and apoptosis. However, saikosaponin C had no correlation with cell growth inhibition. In this study, we investigated the role of saikosaponin C on the growth of endothelial cells and angiogenesis. We found that saikosaponin C yielded a potent effect on inducing human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) viability and growth. In addition to inducing endothelial cells growth, saikosaponin C also induced endothelial cells migration and capillary tube formation. The gene expression or activation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK, ERK) that correlated with endothelial cells growth, migration and angiogenesis were also induced by saikosaponin C. From these results, we suggest that saikosaponin C may have the potential for therapeutic angiogenesis but is not suitable for cancer therapy. (http://www.cababstractsplus.org/)

Pharmacological Actions

• Anti-Infective
• Antineoplastic
• Antirheumatic
• Antiviral
• Cytostatic
• Immunosuppressive
• Non-Narcotic Analgesics
• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory

APPEARANCE

ASSAY

98.0% min

OPTICAL ROTATION

+45° ~ +47°

MELTING POINT