Triterpenoid Fraction Research Articles

Haemolytic activities of plant saponins and adjuvants. Effect of Periandra mediterranea saponin on the humoral response to the FML antigen of Leishmania donovani

An 87.7% ( P<0.01) and 84% ( P<0.001) of protection against visceral leishmaniasis was achieved in CB hamsters and Balb c mice, respectively, with saponin combined to the fucose-mannose ligand of Leishmania donovani (FML). However, an undesirable haemolytic effect was described for several saponins. Aiming to improve the formulation with FML/saponin, we comparatively analysed the haemolytic potential of recently characterized plant saponins and currently used adjuvants. The haemolytic activity of steroidic saponins from Agave sisalana; Smilax officinalis as well as commercial saponin (Riedel De Haën's), was higher than that of triterpenoid ones ( Bredemeyera floribunda; Periandra mediterranea) and the Freund's complete adjuvant. The concentration resulting in 50% haemolysis was 500 μg ml −1 for aluminum hydroxide. The low haemolytic effect of P. mediterranea saponin was abolished by removal of its glycidic moiety and its sapogenin fraction as well as the Freund's Incomplete Adjuvant were non-haemolytic within this range. Furthermore, the adjuvant effect of three doses of P. mediterranea saponin injected with the FML antigen of L. donovani, was assayed in mice, either by the intraperitoneal (i.p.) or the subcutaneous (s.c.) route. The anti-FML IgG antibody levels increased and detectable levels were observed up to 3 months in the s.c. group. The response was expanded in both groups after an injection with a fourth vaccine dose. The IgG response showed increased levels of IgG2a only in the i.p. group, while IgG2b and IgG1 but not IgG3 antibodies were higher than controls in both groups. In conclusion, the results suggest that the recently described triterpenoid fractions of P. mediterranea can be safely used as adjuvant with low or non-haemolytic effect.

Simultaneous determination ofSonchus arvensis L. triterpenes by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Sonchus arvensis L. or sow thistle has proved an excellent source of pentacylic triterpenes; triterpenes account for about 6% of the crude lipid extract or 0.2% of the dried plant. Composition of the triterpenoid fraction, as indicated by gas chromatography of the corresponding acetates, was α-amyrin (9%), β-amyrin (21%), lupeol (13%), taraxasterol (24%) and pseudo-taraxasterol (12%). A single, long-chain alcohol (16%) was also present. The nature of the triterpenoids was defined using gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and confirmed by direct comparison with authentic samples. The use of combined GC/MS proved extremely valuable in the simultaneous analysis of a mixture of triterpene acetates and greatly reduced the time needed to phytochemically evaluate these compounds.

Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Desoxycorticosterone Acetate in Oil Injections

To determine desoxycorticosterone acetate in oil injections, reverse phase partition chromatography on silanized, purified siliceous earth was used to separate the corticosteroid ester from the bulk of the oil vehicle. The latter was retained on the column while the steroid and the sterol and triterpenoid fractions of the oil were eluted. An internal standard was added to this eluate, which was then subjected to reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The desoxycorticosterone acetate was quantitatively separated in the HPLC procedure from any free desoxycorticosterone, preservatives, and minor components of the oil. The suitability of the HPLC procedure was verified with a number of C18 packing materials, both pellicular and microparticular. The desoxycorticosterone acetate was adequately resolved from the internal standard, progesterone, with most C18 packing materials evaluated. The proposed procedure provides a suitable stability-indicating assay for desoxycorticosterone acetate in oil injections.

Carduus nigrescens seed oil—A rich source of pentacyclic triterpenoids

AbstractPentacyclic triterpene alcohols (3%), their acetates (18%), and their long chain fatty acid esters (11%), together with triterpene acids (18%), represent ca. 50% of the oil from the seed and pericarp of the thistleCarduus nigrescens Vill. (Compositae). Along with the usual fatty acids, alkaline hydrolysis of this oil gave triterpene alcohols, some of which were identified by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Composition of the triterpenoid fraction, as indicated by gas chromatography of the corresponding acetates, was: α‐amyrin (6%), β‐amyrin (15%), lupeol plus ϕ‐taraxasterol (3%), erythrodiol (6%), and oleanolic acid (3%). Several components, representing 16% of the oil, were not identified. The content of pentacyclic triterpenoids is the largest found in plant seed oils.

Analysis of oil‐based pharmaceuticals

AbstractOils of animal, mineral and vegetable origin are used in the formulation of pharmaceuticals. In most cases the analysis of these pharmaceuticals requires the separation of the drug substance from the oil components prior to its quantitation, the required degree of separation depending on the specificity of the quantitation method. When the physical properties of the drug substance are quite similar to those of components of the oil, the separation of the drug becomes complex. Column partition chromatography provides an excellent means of separating steroids from the vegetable oil vehicles used in injectables. Both reverse phase and direct phase techniques are applied to the separation of the steroids from the glyceride, sterol and triterpenoid fractions of the oil. Illustrations are provided to demonstrate the application of thin layer chromatography, paper chromatography, gas chromatography, gel permeation chromatography and adsorption chromatography in the analysis of oil solutions, oil‐based dermatological preparations and suppositories.

Seed lipids of the American cranberry ( vaccinium macrocarpon)

The lipids from cranberry seeds have been shown to contain phosphatidyl choline, serine and ethanolamine, mono- and digalactosyl glycerides and a number of neutral components including glycerides, hydrocarbons and several triterpenoids. Glyceride fatty acids were determined, and the hydrocarbon and triterpenoid fractions examined in further detail.

Of the adjustment of a quadrilateral in a tertiary system of triangulation

Epicuticular and intracuticular waxes from both adaxial and abaxial surfaces of the leaves of Kalanchoe daigremontiana were analyzed. All wax mixtures were found to contain approximately equal amounts of triterpenoids and very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) derivatives. The triterpenoid fraction consisted of glutinol (8–19% of the total wax) and friedelin (4–9%), together with smaller amounts of glutanol, glutinol acetate, epifriedelanol, germanicol and β-amyrin. The VLCFA derivatives comprised C27–C35 alkanes (19–37% of the total wax), C32–C34 aldehydes (3–7%), C32 and C34 fatty acids (0.2–3%), C26–C36 primary alcohols (4–8%), and C42–C52 alkyl esters (2–9%). The wax layers were found to differ in triterpenoid amounts, with the intracuticular wax containing higher percentages of most triterpenoids than the epicuticular wax. Friedelin, the only triterpenoid ketone present, showed the opposite distribution with higher proportions in the epicuticular wax. VLCFA derivatives also accumulated to higher percentages in the epicuticular than in the intracuticular wax layer. Epicuticular wax crystals were observed on both the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces.