Search

Platycosides, saponins contained in balloon flower, which have been used as food health supplements for respiratory diseases, have diverse pharmacological effects. Platycosides exhibit better pharmacological activity by hydrolyzing their own sugars. However, to date, there have been no studies on the production of deglucosylated platycodin D suitable for food applications. In this study, Pluszyme 2000P, which was derived from Aspergillus niger, a food-grade microorganism, was used to completely convert platycoside E into deglucosylated platycodin D. For an efficient and economical production of deglucosylated platycodin D, the productivity was improved by application of high hydrostatic pressure and the discarded balloon flower leaf was used as a substrate. As a result, deglucosylated platycodin D was produced with the highest concentration and productivity reported so far. Our results contribute to functional saponin production and the related food industries.

The bioactive compounds of Platycodon grandiflorum have been studied with saponin, including platycodin D (PD) and platycoside E (PE), but functional enhancement studies through bioconversion as fermentation are insufficient. In this study, we determined the potential therapeutic effects of fermented Platycodon grandiflorum extracts (FPE) on the atopic dermatitis-induced HaCaT cell line and NC/Nga mice. Atopic dermatitis was induced by TNF-α (10 ng/mL)/IFN-γ (10 ng/mL) in HaCaT cells and topical application of 0.2% 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB) in NC/Nga mice. FPE regulated TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced the production of inflammation-related cytokines, chemokines and expression of transcription factors in HaCaT cells. Oral administration of FPE and PD/PE ameliorated DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis symptoms and reduced the number of T cells, immunoglobulin E-producing B cells, eosinophils in the dorsal skin. Taken together, our results indicate that FPE can modulate the Th1/Th2 immune balance and has potential as a functional food supplement that can prevent skin diseases.

An effective HPLC method to analyse platycosides from the balloon flower root was developed using ELSD. The optimum resolution of the platycosides was achieved on an ODS column with gradient elution of eluent A, 30mM ammonium acetate buffer (pH 4.81): methanol: acetonitrile=75:5:20 (v/v/v), and B, 69:5:26 (v/v/v). Amongst 18 platycosides, platycoside E showed the highest content, followed by polygalacin D2 and 3″-O-acetylplatyconic acid A. The sum of these three compounds was recommended for quality control of balloon flower root for medicinal purposes. The samples could be clustered into groups based on platycoside content. Group I, characterised by a high concentration of platycosides, was located near the west coast of Korea, whereas group II, characterised by a low concentration of platycosides, was located inland or in mountainous area. The method could be used to control the quality of balloon flower root.

Bioassay-directed fractionation of the antiviral active fraction of the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum leads to the isolation of three new triterpenoid saponins, platycosides G1–G3 ( 1 – 3 ), as well as two known saponins, platycodin D3 ( 4 ), and platycoside E ( 5 ). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectral data and chemical evidences. The isolated saponins were tested for their antiviral activities against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1) and influenza type A virus (Flu A). Compound 4 showed weak anti-RSV activity.

A new triterpenoid saponin, 3- O -β- d -glucopyranosyl 16-oxo-platycodigenin 28- O -β- d -apiofuranosyl-(1 → 3)-β- d -xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-α- l -rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α- l -arabinopyra-nosyl ester, was isolated from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum , together with three known saponins, including platycodin D, deapio platycoside E and platycoside E. The structure of the new compound, named 16-oxo-platycodin D, was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data.