Two triterpene saponins (IPS-1, IPS-2) for the first time were isolated from the roots of Impatiens parviflora DC. (Balsaminaceae). Their anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by means of two in vitro models: anti-hyaluronidase and anti-denaturation assays. Both saponins were shown to be potent hyaluronidase inhibitors that affect the enzyme in a dose-dependent manner. The anti-hyaluronidase effect of IPS-2 (IC50 = 286.7 µg/mL) was higher than that of the reference drug: escin (IC50 = 303.93 µg/mL). Both saponins protected bovine serum albumin from heat-induced denaturation in a dose-dependent manner. IPS-1 demonstrated higher anti-denaturation effect (IC50 = 86.7 µg/ml) than IPS-2 (IC50 = 109.76 µg/mL) or the standard drug: acetylsalicylic acid (IC50 = 262.22 µg/mL). In conclusion, potent activity of IPS-1, IPS-2 in both in vitro assays shows that saponins from I. parviflora have anti-inflammatory activity. The obtained results allow to suggest that such compounds may be beneficial in inflammatory conditions, especially associated with excessive degradation of hyaluronic acid.
Keywords: Saponins; anti-denaturation activity; anti-inflammatory; hyaluronidase inhibition; impatiens.