Saikosaponins from roots of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium

Saikosaponins: A Review of Structures and Pharmacological Activities

Radix Bupleuri is a traditional medicine widely used in China and other Asian countries. Phytochemistry and pharmacology study reveal that saikosaponins(SSs) are the main bioactive compounds in Radix Bupleuri. SSs are complex compounds composed of triterpene aglycone and carbohydrate part containing 1-13 monosaccharides, which can be divided into seven types based on their structural characteristics. Many different kinds of SSs have been isolated from plants of Bupleurum L. SSs show a variety of biological activities, such as central nervous system protection, liver protection, antivirus, anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, hormone-like effects, and immune regulation functions. Due to their broad activity and favorable safety profile, SSs attract an increasing amount of attention in recent years. In this review, the structures of 86 SSs are summarized based on the different aglycones due to the diverse structures of saikosaponin(SS). The pharmacological effects and related mechanism of SSs are thoroughly reviewed, and perspectives for future research are further discussed.

UV-guided isolation of enantiomeric polyacetylenes from Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. with inhibitory effects against LPS-induced NO release in BV-2 microglial cells

UV-guided fractionation led to the isolation of thirteen new polyacetylenes (1-13) from the roots of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. All polyacetylenes were analyzed as racemates since the lack of optical activity and Cotton effects in the ECD spectra. The sequent chiral-phase HPLC resolution successfully gave twelve pairs of enantiomers 1a/1b and 3a/3b-13a/13b. Their structures were elucidated based on the HRESIMS and NMR data analyses. The absolute configurations were determined by the combination of Snatzke's method, electronic circular dichroism calculations, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Using Griess methods and MTT assays, polyacetylenes 1a, 3a, 4a/4b-12a/12b, and 13a displayed inhibitory activities against LPS-induced NO release in BV-2 microglial cells.

Comparison of chemical profiles between the root and aerial parts from three Bupleurum species based on a UHPLC-QTOF-MS metabolomics approach

BACKGROUND

Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu) represents one of the most successful and widely used herbal medicines in Asia for the treatment of many diseases such as inflammatory disorders and infectious diseases over the past 2000 years. In the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Chaihu is recorded as the dried roots of Bupleurum chinense DC. and B. scorzonerifolium Willd. (Umbelliferae). However, the widespread demand for the herb has tended to far outstrip the supply. Whether the aerial parts, which account for 70 ~ 85% of the dry weights of Bupleurum species, could be used as an alternative for the root has become an important scientific issue for the sustainable utilization of Bupleurum species. On the other hand, in some areas including the southeast of China as well as in Spain, the aerial parts of Bupleurum species have already been used in the folk medications. Therefore, to clarify whether the root and aerial parts of Bupleurum species are "equivalent" in the types and quantities of chemical constituents which subsequently influence their biological activities and therapeutic effects is of great importance for both the rational and sustainable use of this herb.

METHODS

In the present study, the chemical profiles between the root and aerial parts of Bupleurum species from different species and collected from various locations were analyzed and compared by the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole/time of flight-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS).

RESULTS

A total of 56 peaks were identified in the root and/or aerial parts from different batches of Bupleurum species, by comparison of references standards or with those reported in the literature. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was conducted for displaying the differentiating clustering between these two parts.

CONCLUSION

The results disclosed the distinct variations between them, which indicated that the aerial parts could not be used as an alternative of root from a chemodiversity perspective. The differentiating markers resulted from the PCA analysis could also be utilized for the differentiation between them. Further validation of their biological differences is anticipated in the future study.

A comparative study of the main constituents and antidepressant effects of raw and vinegar-baked Bupleuri Radix in rats subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress

Bupleuri Radix (BR) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) widely used in Asian nations, which originates fromBupleurum chinenseDC orBupleurum scorzonerifoliumWilld.

Investigation on ultrasound assisted extraction of saikosaponins from Radix Bupleuri

Ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) of saikosaponins from Radix Bupleuri (Bupleurum Chinense DC) was studied. The effects of various factors such as time (t), temperature (T), ultrasound power (I), particle size (S), solvent to solid ratio (R) and solvent concentration (C) on the yield of target components were investigated. The experimental results indicated that the extraction by UAE is six times faster than those by conventional thermal extraction. It is also found that fast extraction rate was obtained in the first 30 min of sonication. Prolonged sonication did not give a proportional increase in the yield. For the effect of ultrasound power, the maximum yield was obtained at the power level of around 21 W. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the plant cells after UAE treatment were obtained to provide visual evidence of the sonication effect. The effects of particle size, solvent to solid ratio and solvent concentration on the yield are also discussed. The preliminary optimum conditions for UAE of saikosaponins were found at time of 30 min, temperature of 80 °C, power of 21 W, particle size <0.3 mm, solvent to solid ratio of 25 ml/g and solvent concentration of 50%.

Anti-proliferative activity of Bupleurum scrozonerifolium in A549 human lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

Nan-Chai-Hu, the root of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium, is a traditional Chinese herb used in treatment of liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. We recently reported that the acetone extract of B. scorzonerifolium (BS-AE) could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in A549 human lung cancer cells. We further examined its anti-proliferative mechanisms and in vivo anticancer effect. Our results showed that BS-AE had the ability to cause cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase, inducing tubulin polymerization, and activating caspase-3 and -9 in A549 cells. BS-AE-induced apoptosis could be blocked by the broad caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk in majority. The result of in vivo study showed that BS-AE could suppress growth in A549 subcutaneous xenograft tumors. These results indicate that BS-AE exerts antiproliferative effects on A549 cells in vitro and in vivo, and prompted us to further evaluate and elucidate the chemical composition profile of BS-AE.

Biological activities and distribution of plant saponins

Plant saponins are widely distributed amongst plants and have a wide range of biological properties. The more recent investigations and findings into their biological activities were summarized. Isolation studies of saponins were examined to determine which are the more commonly studied plant families and in which families saponins have been identified.

Acetone extract of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium inhibits proliferation of A549 human lung cancer cells via inducing apoptosis and suppressing telomerase activity

Bupleuri radix, a traditional Chinese herb, has been widely used to treat liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. The acetone extract of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium (AE-BS) showed a dose-dependently antiproliferative effect on the proliferation of A549 human lung cancer cells. The IC(50) of AE-BS, i.e., the concentration required to inhibit proliferation of A549 cells, was 59 +/- 4.5 microg/ml on day 1. The IC(50) of AE-BS for WI38 human normal lung fibroblast cells, however, was significant higher than that for A549 cells (150 +/- 16 microg/ml, p< 0.01). After 72 hours of exposure, AE-BS (60 microg/ml) significantly reduced A549 cell proliferation to 33 +/- 3.2% of control. In TUNEL assay, A549 cells treated with AE-BS showed typical morphologic features of apoptosis, and the percentage of apoptotic cells was approximately 38 % on day 1. In the TRAP assay, AE-BS-treated cells demonstrated significantly lower telomerase activity on day 3. This result indicates that the AE-BS could suppress the proliferation of lung cancer cells via inhibition of telomerase activity and activation of apoptosis.

Saikosaponin v-1 from roots of Bupleurum chinense DC

Three triterpenoidal saponins, saikosaponin v-1(1), 6"-O-acetyl-saikosaponin b2 (2) and 6"-O-acetyl-saikosaponin d(3) were isolated from the roots of the title plant and the structures were identified on the basis of spectral analysis. Saikosaponin v-1 is a new compound, which was identified as 3beta,16alpha,23,28-tetrahydroxy-olean-11,13(18)-dien-30-oic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-fucopyranosyl-30-O-xylitol ester.

Saikosaponins from roots of Bupleurum gibraltaricum and Bupleurum spinosum

Two new saikosaponins have been identified in the butanolic fraction of the ethanol extract of the roots of Bupleurum spinosum: 3beta,16alpha,23,28-tetrahydroxyoleana-11,13(18)-dien- 30-oic acid 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-fucopyranoside, and 3beta,16alpha,23,28,30-pentahydroxyoleana-11,13(18)-diene 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-fucopyranoside. 3Beta,16beta,23-trihydroxy-13,28-epoxyolean-11-ene 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-fucopyranoside was also isolated, and this structure agreed with the one proposed for bupleuroside I, but their spectroscopic data have not been described until now. From the same fraction of the roots of Bupleurum gibraltaricum, the known compound buddlejasaponin IV has been isolated as the predominant component (90%). Structures were elucidated using spectroscopic analysis, specially 2D-NMR experiments.