Search

A observacao ao longo de um ano das caracteristicas botânicas de amostras de uma colmeia de Maria Pinto (regiao central do Chile) revela que as especies introduzidas mais utilizadas na producao de propolis sao Eucalyptus globulus e Populus alba, enquanto as nativas sao Baccharis linearis, Peumus boldus, Escallonia illinita e Quillaja saponaria. A producao de propolis bruta apresenta rendimento maximo nos meses de agosto e setembro. Discute-se a importância farmaceutica desses achados.

The in vitro immunomodulatory activities of a number of saponins (crude Quillaja saponin, Quillayanin, Quil-A and glycyrrhizic acid) are described. Addition of these saponin preparations to mouse spleen cell cultures resulted in significant cell proliferation. B-cells were induced to proliferate in the presence of the crude saponin, and T-cells in the presence of Quil-A. On the other hand, Quillayanin and glycyrrhizic acid stimulated both T- and B-lymphocytes equally. The selective proliferation of subtypes of lymphocytes correlated with restimulation responses by polyclonal mitogens. Pretreatment by lymphocytes with crude saponins induced significant T-cell responses to PHA and Con A, and to T-independent B-cell stimulation by LPS. Pulse exposure of spleen cells to Quil-A resulted in enhanced cell proliferation when restimulated with PHA, Con A and PWM. In comparison, similar exposure of lymphocytes to Quillayanin or glycyrrhizic acid produced markedly increased responses to PHA, Con A, PWM and LPS. Incubation of lymphocytes in the presence of Quillaja saponins and Quillayanin caused effector cell generation as determined in a one-way mixed lymphocyte reaction. In the case of lymphocytes cultured in the presence of crude saponins or glycyrrhizic acid, the supernatants contained active soluble factors. This was demonstrated by the observation that the addition of supernatants to spleen cell cultures induced spontaneous cell proliferation, and also amplified their responses to a suboptimal dose of PHA. The experimental data suggest that different components in the Quillaja saponin preparations may have selective effects on various subtypes of cell populations. Glycyrrhizic acid has the most profound immunomodulatory activity in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Quillaja is one of the most important species growing in the semiarid region of Chile because of the high content of saponin in its bark. The wood is normally used as charcoal. Biomass equations to estimate the weight of total stem bark, commercial bark, stem wood, branches and total tree were developed. Data were obtained in three areas located in the north, centre and south of the Chilean semiarid region. Thirty trees were completely weighed. Individual tree components and total tree weights were regressed against DBH, basal diameter, total height and number of main branches, and a combination of them, using the allometric equation of the form Y = a X b and a multiple linear model, both weighted and unweighted. The best results were obtained with the second kind of model, giving better estimates for total tree and stem bark weights. The poorest estimates were obtained for commercial bark.

COONEY, Butts, and Bacon (1948) found that dehydrated alfalfa meal had a depressing effect on the growth, diet consumption, and diet utilization of chicks. Lepkovsky et al. (1950) reported that dehydrated alfalfa meal contains a naturally occurring substance (or substances) that depresses the growth of chicks, and that its fiber is not the offending substance. The experiments of Heywang (1950) indicate that both dehydrated and suncured alfalfa meals may contain a factor (or factors) that retard not only the growth of chicks but also the egg production of layers. He also observed that alfalfa meals may vary considerably in their retarding effects, and thus in the amount of responsible factor. According to Peterson (1950) the growth inhibiting effect of Quillaja saponin is similar to that of dehydrated alfalfa meal. Consequently, his results indicate that the growth inhibiting effect of alfalfa might be due to saponin. Heywang and Bird (1953) fed …

A well-balanced crystalline amino acid diet was modified such that arginine was first limiting and lysine second limiting for chick weight gains. Male crossbred chicks were used in three growth assays (9 to 14 days posthatch- ing) to determine the effect of excess lysine on the ability of arginine to promote chick weight gains (arginine efficacy). Incremental arginine supplementation of arginine-deficient diets containing from 0.55% (control level) to 2.55% dietary lysine allowed evaluation of the linear regression of chick weight gain on argi nine consumption at each level of lysine. The ratio of regression coefficients (slope-ratio technique) showed that arginine efficacy decreased as dietary lysine increased. Pooled results from the three assays showed that relative arginine efficacy decreased linearly to 58.8% of the control at 1.84% dietary lysine. Higher levels of lysine caused no further decrease in arginine efficacy. A linear relationship between feed consumption and weight gain was observed which was unaffected by lysine level. Incremental additions of Quillaja saponin, an anorectic agent, to an arginine-deficient diet (0.95% lysine) did not alter argi nine efficacy but did alter the relationship between feed and gain. Body water data indicated that lysine caused no change in body composition which could not be ascribed to reduced feed consumption. It is postulated that the decrease in growth rate and feed consumption observed when lysine is added to arginine- deficient diets results from accentuating the arginine deficiency. J. Nutr. 202: 171-180, 1972.

SAPONINS in alfalfa appear to be partly responsible for the decreased growth rate noted when a high level of alfalfa is added to chick diets. Heywang and Bird (1954) fed graded levels of alfalfa saponin to chicks. The 0.2 percent level was the lowest that produced an unmistakable inhibition of growth; the 0.4 percent level inhibited growth more. Earlier, Peterson (1950a) had prepared a concentrate from alfalfa which depressed the growth of chicks when added to their diet. The growth depression was overcome to a great extent by simultaneous feeding of cholesterol. The properties of the concentrate suggested that the growth depressing substance was a saponin. Peterson (1950b) reported later that Quillaja saponin depressed chick growth, and that the growth depression produced by feeding this saponin or dehydrated alfalfa meal was prevented by the addition of a mixture of cottonseed oil and cholesterol to the diet. Several experiments on the . . .

A 24-yr-old man developed sensitization to Quillaja bark (soapbark) dust at his work place. Within 3 mo of being employed in a factory processing Quallaja bark to produce saponin, he experienced asthma symptoms while handling the bark but only nasal symptoms on being exposed to the purified saponin. Bronchial provocation using Quillaja bark dust resulted in immediate bronchoconstriction as well as faintness, diffuse erythema, and hypotension. Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) using the pulverized crude Quillaja bark was markedly positive, and cross-reactivity between gum acacia and gum tragacanth was demonstrated using this technique.

There are very few studies on the production of triterpenoids and their saponins by in vitro plant culture (Staba 1980). These products now enjoy growing interest since their chemical extraction and purification have become easier and their structural identity has been made possible by methods like RMN-13C or Fab-MS (Oshimata et al. 1984; Higuchi et al. 1987). Among the plants producing triterpenoidal saponins, some contain great amounts of very polar saponins, essentially in the rhizome and the roots (Saponaria officinalis L., Gypsophila sp., Caryophyllaceae) or in the bark (Quillaja saponaria Mol., Quillaja smegmadermos D.C., Rosaceae). These saponins are among the biggest with nine to ten oses bound to a pentacyclic triterpenoid acid. Their amphiphilic structure confers to them some well-known properties such as detergent, emulsive, hemolytic and toxic substances. Some of them are still largely used as shampoo (Quillaja saponins) or to make photographic emulsion (saponins of S. officinalis, fuller’s herb or of Gypsophila sp., soapwort) (Tschesche and Wulff 1973). First results showed us the presence of these compounds in plant cell culture in vitro, so we have tried to investigate their production and metabolism using 5. officinalis cells to elucidate their role in the cell.

The effect of a range of saponins, commonly present in foods or dietary supplements, on the potential difference (PD) across the mucosa of the rat small intestine in vitro has been examined. Saponins from Gypsophila, guar, alfalfa, Quillaja, clover and liquorice together with glycoalkaloids from the potato and tomato were examined. The typical response was an immediate reduction in PD, although there was considerable variation in the response to particular compounds. Amongst the factors affecting the nature and magnitude of the de-polarizing effect were pH, solubility and the chemical form of the saponin. In agreement with the findings of others, glycyrrhizic acid, isolated from liquorice root, was found to exhibit a protective effect against the activity of a more potent saponin. The observations are discussed in the light of the known physiological activities of plant saponins and the regular, or excessive, consumption of certain foods or dietary supplements.

Saponins occur in at least 400 plant species belonging to 60 different families. Some of these plants such as spinach, beetroot and asparagus are components of the human diet whilst others are animal foods. Because of their foaming properties saponins are used in the manufacture of foods, beverages, toilet preparations and pharmaceuticals. Several plant extracts used as flavouring agents in food contain active saponins. There is no legislation in the UK or USA controlling the use of foaming agents as a class in the manufacture of foods. The use of saponins as foaming agents is specifically prohibited in some countries, particularly in Central and Southern America. Flavouring legislation has yet to be formulated in the UK; in the USA several plant extracts containing saponins including quillaia (from Quillaja saponaria Molina), are permitted as flavourings, whilst in Federal Germany quillaja bark is specifically prohibited. There is some variation in the toxicity of saponins from different sources. Most toxicity tests have been with single doses administered orally or by intravenous injection. The lethal oral dose is 3–1000 times as great as the lethal intravenous dose. The majority of saponins are powerful haemolytics in vitro but large doses are needed to produce haemolysis on intravenous injection. Several authors have studied the effect of saponins on growth but no references have been found to experimental work on the chronic effects of those saponins likely to be consumed by man in the diet. However, a guide to the safety of some saponins is provided by experience based on common use as food additives or natural components of foods.

La prosapogenine obtenue de la quillaja saponine est leβ-D-glucopyranuronoside de l'acide quillaique.

There is growing demand for functional food products enriched with long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCω3PUFA). Nanoemulsions, systems with extremely small droplet sizes have been shown to increase LCω3PUFA bioavailability. However, nanoemulsion creation and processing methods may impact on the oxidative stability of these systems. The present systematic review collates information from studies that evaluated the oxidative stability of LCω3PUFA nanoemulsions suitable for use in functional foods. The systematic search identified seventeen articles published during the last 10 years. Researchers used a range of surfactants and antioxidants to create systems which were evaluated from 7 to 100 days of storage. Nanoemulsions were created using synthetic and natural emulsifiers, with natural sources offering equivalent or increased oxidative stability compared to synthetic sources, which is useful as consumers are demanding natural, cleaner label food products. Equivalent vegetarian sources of LCω3PUFA found in fish oils such as algal oils are promising as they provide direct sources without the need for conversion in the human metabolic pathway. Quillaja saponin is a promising natural emulsifier that can produce nanoemulsion systems with equivalent/increased oxidative stability in comparison to other emulsifiers. Further studies to evaluate the oxidative stability of quillaja saponin nanoemulsions combined with algal sources of LCω3PUFA are warranted.

OBJECTIVE: Isolation of the total saponins from Acanthophyllum squarrosum Boiss. and investigation of its surface activity, haemolytic effects on human erythrocytes as well as enhancing potentials on intranasal insulin absorption in rat in comparison with two other enhancers i.e. Quillaja total saponin (QTS) and sodium cholate (SC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The decrease in blood glucose levels in five fasting rats following nasal administration of regular insulin solutions in the presence or absence of enhancers was determined by glucometric strips and used as an indication of insulin absorption. RESULTS: The results showed that ATS decreased surface tension of water to about 50 dyne.cm-1 and caused complete haemolysis of human RBCs at a concentration of 250 μg.ml-1. Following the instillation of solutions containing insulin and different absorption enhancers into the right nostril of rats, the percentage decrease in initial blood glucose was as follows: 72.46% (± 2.39%) for ATS, 63.22 % (± 11.06%) for QTS and 60.06% (± 14.93%) for SC. Percentage lowering in initial blood glucose concentrations against time showed that ATS exhibits a stronger effect than the two other enhancers although the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: ATS has a considerable absorption enhancing effect and can possibly be used to increase insulin bioavailability via nasal route. However the potential toxic effects of this saponin on nasal mucosa should be further evaluated.

Yucca GRAS-labelled saponins have been and are increasingly used in food/feed, pharmaceutical or cosmetic industries. Existing techniques presently used for Yucca steroidal saponin quantification remain either inaccurate and misleading or accurate but time consuming and cost prohibitive. The method reported here addresses all of the above challenges. HPLC/ELSD technique is an accurate and reliable method that yields results of appropriate repeatability and reproducibility. This method does not over- or under-estimate levels of steroidal saponins. HPLC/ELSD method does not require each and every pure standard of saponins, to quantify the group of steroidal saponins. The method is a time- and cost-effective technique that is suitable for routine industrial analyses. HPLC/ELSD methods yield a saponin fingerprints specific to the plant species. As the method is capable of distinguishing saponin profiles from taxonomically distant species, it can unravel plant adulteration issues.

The possibility that certain saponins produce growth depression by complexing fat soluble vitamins with a mechanism similar to saponin-cholesterol complexation was studied. An in vitro procedure was developed to quantitate the formation of addition complexes in aqueous solutions. Saponins studied included digitonin, ammoniated glycyrrhizin, quillaja bark saponin, and saponin-containing extracts from alfalfa leaves and roots and soybeans. Vitamins tested included provitamin D3 and vitamins E, A and D3. The study demonstrated that the saponins did not complex fat soluble vitamins in a manner similar to the complexation of cholesterol.

The possibility that certain saponins produce growth depression by complexing minerals was studied. Saponins tested included digitonin, ammoniated glycyrrhizin, quillaja saponin and saponin-containing extracts from alfalfa leaves and roots. Minerals studied were zinc, iron and magnesium. Alfalfa root saponins and ammoniated glycyrrhizin, but not digitonin, quillaja and alfalfa leaf saponins, complexed zinc and iron, but not magnesium. It is proposed that one mechanism of action whereby saponins suppress growth is by the formation of insoluble saponin-mineral complexes. Such complexes could reduce the availability of minerals necessary for growth.

The leafy material from Atriplex polycarpa contains 1.15% saponin. Comparative inhibition of Trichoderma viride mycelium indicated that saponin from A. polycarpa was either much more potent than commercially available saponin from the bark of Quillaja, or that other water-soluble inhibitors were also present. Distilled water, dripping through A. polycarpa plants to simulate rain, also removed inhibitory substances from A. polycarpa.