Anti-Tumor and Anti-Diabetic Effects of Sarsasapogenin

In this paper,the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of sarsasapogenin,such as anti-oxidant,anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects,are reviewed in order to provide a theoretical basis for the subsequent development and clinical application of sarsasapogenin.

Identification of Gardenoside and Sarsasapogenin from Qingwen Baidu Granules by TLC

[ Objective ] We aimed to establish the identification method of gardenoside and sarsasapogenin in Qingwen baidu granules. [ Method] With ethyl ace- tate-acetone-formic acid-water （10：7：2：0.5） as the developer and 10% sulfuric acid ethanol solution as the chromogenic reagent, the samples were heated at 100 ~C until the spots were clearly visible, and the existence of gardenoside was checked under natural light. With toluene-acetone（9：l ） as the developer and 5% vanillin sulfuric acid solution as the chromogenic reagent, the samples were heated at 105 ~C until the spots were clearly visible, and the existence of sarsasapogenin was checked under natural light. [Result] Qingwen baidu granules had the same spots with gardenoside and sarsasapogenin at the same Rfvalue under natural light. [ Conclusion] A TLC method detecting gardenoside and sarsasapogenin in Qingwen baidu granules was established, which had good specificity and repeatability, suitable for rapid detection of gardenoside and sarsasapogenin.

A double-blind,placebo-controlled study of traditional Chinese medicine sarsasapogenin added to risperidone in patients with negative symptoms dominated schizophrenia

Objective To identify whether sarsasapogenin, a sapogenin from the Chinese medicinal herb Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Bunge, would augment the efficacy of risperidone and significantly improve cognitive functions in patients with negative symptoms dominated schizophrenia. Methods The trial was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel- group design. The eligible patients were randomized into 2 treatment groups： sarsasapogenin group （sarsasapogenin plus risperidone for 8 weeks, n = 41） and placebo group （risperidone only for 8 weeks, n = 39）. At the baseline, as well as at weeks 2, 4 and 8 of treatment, the therapeutic response was measured by using scales including Positive and Nega- tive Symptoms Scale （PANSS）, Wechsler Memory Scale （WMS）, modified Chinese Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale （mWAIS）, Clinical Global Impression （CGI） and Brief Psychiatry Rating Scale （BPRS）. The study period for each subject was 8 weeks and duration of overall trial was 2 years. Results Patients treated with sarsasapogenin plus risperidone demonstrated no statistically significant differences in changes in PANSS, WMS or mWAIS score at the end-point of the trial compared with patients treated with placebo plus risperidone. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events in patients treated with sarsasapogenin was not different from that observed in placebo group. Conclusion Sarsasapogenin did not augment the efficacy of risperidone in treating negative symptoms dominated schizophrenia. Sarsasapogenin at a dosage of 200 mg per day added to a flexible dosage of risperidone at 2-4 mg per day is safe and well tolerated by patients with negative symptoms dominated schizophrenia.

Steroids from the Roots of Asparagus officinalis and Their Cytotoxic Activity

One new （Sarsasapogenin O） and seven known steroids were isolated from the roots of Asparagus offlcinalis L. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including various 2D-NMR techniques, hydrolysis, and by comparison of spectral data of known compounds. These compounds together with nine steroids which were previously isolated from this plant, were tested for cytotoxic activity. Among them, eight compounds displayed significant cytotoxiciUes against human A2780, HO-8910, Eca-109, MGC-803, CNE, LTEP-a-2, KB and mouse L1210 tumor cells.