Phytochemical Studies on Astragalus Root(1) - Saponins

  • Kim, Ju-Sun (Natural Products Research Institute and College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University) ;
  • Yean, Min-Hye (Natural Products Research Institute and College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University) ;
  • Lee, Eun-Ju (Natural Products Research Institute and College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University) ;
  • Kang, Sam-Sik (Natural Products Research Institute and College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University)
  • Published : 2008.03.31

Abstract

From the 70% EtOH extract of the roots of Astragalus membranaceus (Leguminosae), fifteen saponins were isolated and identified as astragaloside I (1), isoastragaloside II (2), astragaloside II (3), agroastragaloside I (4), cyclogaleginoside B (5), cycloaraloside A (6), brachyoside B (7), agroastragaloside II (8), astragaloside III (9), astragaloside IV (10), astramembranoside A (11), astramembranoside B (12), cylocanthoside E (13), cyclounifolioside B (14) and azukisaponin V methyl ester (15) by spectroscopic methods. Ten compounds 1 - 3, 5 - 7, 9 - 11 and 14 have cycloastragenol as an aglycon, and four compounds 4, 8 , 12, and 13 have cyclocanthogenin as an aglycon. The hairy roots of A. membranaceus were shown to produce previously unreported cycloartane-type saponins such as agroastragalosides I (4) and II (8) and cycloastragenol $3-O-{\beta}-D-xyloside$ (5), together with the known saponins. This is the first report of these saponins (4, 5, and 8) from the intact plant. Although the occurrence of the oleanane-type triterpene saponin, azukisaponin V methyl ester (15), in Astragalus plants has been demonstrated by others, this is the first report of the azukisaponin V methyl ester (15) from the Astragalus plants.

Keywords

References

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