The relationship between haemolytic activity and the structure of saikosaponins which
were isolated from the root of Bupleurum falcatum L. was investigated. It was confirmed that the bridged 13β, 28–epoxyoleanene system
in saikosaponin is important to haemolytic activity and that the axial C16β–OH and C23–OH group are also significant for haemolysis as well as the number of sugar moieties.
In addition it was found that haemolysis by saikosaponins is inhibited by the addition
of adenine and inosine to the incubation medium.
Bupleurum falcatum L - Saikosaponin - Haemolysis
