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Sophora japonica is a source of several flavonol, flavone and isoflavone glycosides that are reported to positively affect menopausal symptoms including osteoporotic complications. In the present study fructus Sophorae extract (FSE) was administered orally for three months at a dose of 200 mg kg–1 in ovariectomized (OVX) New Zealand rabbits. 3D computed tomography scans and histopathological images revealed microstructural disturbances in the bones of the castrated animals. FSE recovered most of the affected parameters in bones in a manner similar to zoledronic acid (ZA) used as a positive control. The aglycones of the main active compounds of FSE, daidzin, and genistin, were docked into the alpha and beta estrogen receptors and stable complexes were found. The findings of this study provide an insight into the effects of FSE on bone tissue loss and suggest that it could be further developed as a potential candidate for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporotic complications.

Triterpenoid saponins from the Astragalus species possess valuable effects (cytotoxic, adjuvant, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, antiviral, etc.). Some also have immunomodulatory activities. Astragalus glycyphyllos is distributed in Bulgaria and mainly accumulates cycloartane saponins. From the overground parts of the species, a triterpenoid cyloartane-type saponin (AGOS3) was isolated by different chromatographic techniques. A quantitative LC-MS method for the determination of the saponin was developed and validated. Further, the saponin was loaded in copolymeric micelles based on triblock copolymers of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide (Pluronics). The LC-MS method was applied on the developed micelles to determine their loading degrees. Afterwards, the possible pharmacological effects of free and encapsulated in polymeric nanoparticles of triterpenoid saponin (1, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL) were evaluated in isolated murine macrophages and lymphocytes in vitro. Free AGOS3 stimulated proliferation only at the highest tested concentrations (50–100 µg/mL), and the effect was more evident in isolated macrophages. Interestingly, AGOS3-loaded polymeric micelles caused concentration dependency and statistically significant increases in the proliferation of both isolated lymphocytes and macrophages, even at a lower concentration (10 µg/mL). These results could serve as the basis for further research on the immunomodulatory effect of this saponin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astragalus glycyphyllos is a widely distributed plant found in Bulgaria that has been used in the folk medicine of the country for decades as an antihypertensive, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory. This review article is focused on the traditional usage, phytochemical studies, pharmacological activity, and biotechnology of this species. Recent progress in the phytochemical investigation led to the identification of different flavonoids, triterpenoid saponins, sterols, volatiles, etc. Many pharmacological studies, performed on extracts and pure compounds, revealed promising antiproliferative, cytotoxic, immunomodulatory, antiviral, and neuroprotective activities in vitro and an in vivo hepatoprotective effect on a model of CCl4 -induced liver damage. Based on its popularity in traditional Bulgarian medicine, the species represents a promising subject for further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background: Diabetes and hypertension are diseases that often coexist, which increases the risk of chronic organ damages and cardiovascular complications. Purpose: To evaluate the effects of saponarin, isolated from [...]