New neuritogenic steroidal saponin from Ophiopogon japonicus (Thunb.) Ker-Gawl

Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2011;75(6):1201-4. doi: 10.1271/bbb.110066. Epub 2011 Jun 13.

Abstract

A new steroidal saponin was isolated from Ophiopogon japonicus. This saponin possesses a modification by 2-hydroxy-3-methylvalerylation of the hydroxyl group at C-4' of the sugar, linked to C-1 of the aglycone. It exhibited significant neuritogenic activity for PC12 cells. The structure-activity relationship revealed the aglycone, rather than the sugar moieties and acylation, to be important for the neuritogenic activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Phase-Contrast
  • Molecular Mimicry
  • Nerve Growth Factor / pharmacology
  • Neurites / drug effects*
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / drug effects*
  • Ophiopogon / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Roots / chemistry
  • Rats
  • Saponins / chemistry
  • Saponins / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Plant Extracts
  • Saponins
  • Nerve Growth Factor