In vitro anticomplementary activity of hederagenin saponins isolated from roots ofDipsacus asper

Anticomplementary activity of hederagenin and related saponins isolated fromDipsacus asper was investigatedin vitro. HN saponin F (3) was most potent with IC₅₀ value of 3.7×10⁻⁵ M followed by 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-L-arabinopyranosyl hederagenin 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyrano side (8), 3-O-β-L-arabinopyranosyl hederagenin 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyrano side (5) dipsacus saponin A (4), and hederagenin (1) on the classical pathway (CP) of complement system, while the saponins3–5, did not show the inhibition of hemolysis and rather increase the hemolysis on the alternative pathway (AP). However, all of C-3 monodesmosides [prosapogenin CP (2), dipsacus saponin B (6), and dipsacus saponin C (7)] evoked hemolysis directly on the erythrocytes.