Research Update of Protodioscin related.

  seminal trace...Dioscorea gracillima miq extract.Protodioscin.20%,30%40%HPLC.CAS:55056-80-9;60478-69-5.M.F.:C51H84O22.Thinnest Yam extract.Dioscorea spp extract.Hypoglauca yam extract...

 


   Phytochemical info of Dioscorea gracillima miq extract.Protodioscin:

 Product Name:
 Synonym:
 Definition: Dioscorea gracillima miq extract are majorly composed of
 Chemical information disclosed as following table:


   Research Update:Protodioscin

   Protodioscin for Hair loss treatment::

 The active ingredient of the herb Tribulus terrestris L., protodioscin has been proven by many clinical studies to help regulate the body's androgen levels and may help in preventing hair loss due to the overproduction of the androgen DHT.

   Structural identification of methyl protodioscin metabolites in rats' urine and their antiproliferative activities against human tumor cell lines.:

 Methyl protodioscin (MPD), a furostanol saponin, is a preclinical drug shown potent antiproliferative activities against most cell lines from leukemia and solid tumors. The metabolites of MPD in rats' urine after single oral doses of 80 mg/kg were investigated in this research. Ten metabolites were isolated and purified by liquid-liquid extraction, open-column chromatography, medium-pressure liquid chromatography, and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. The structural identification of the metabolites was carried out by high resolution mass spectra, NMR spectroscopic methods including (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and 2D NMR, as well as chemical ways. The 10 metabolites were elucidated to be dioscin (M-1), pregna-5,16-dien-3beta-ol-20-one-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-d-glucopyranoside (M-2), diosgenin (M-3), protobioside (M-4), methyl protobioside (M-5), 26-O-beta-d-glucopyrannosyl(25R)-furan-5-ene-3beta, 22alpha, 26-trihydroxy-3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-d-glucopyranoside(M-6),26-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl(25R)-furan-5-ene-3beta,26-dihydroxy-22-methoxy-3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-d-glucopyranoside (M-7), prosapogenin A of dioscin (M-8), prosapogenin B of dioscin (M-9), and diosgenin-3-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside (M-10), respectively. M-1 was the main urinary metabolite of MPD in rats. Some metabolites showed potent antiproliferative activities against HepG2, NCI-H460, MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines in vitro.

   Facile conversion of spirostan saponin into furostan saponin: synthesis of methyl protodioscin and its 26-thio-analogue.:

 A facile approach for the conversion of a spirostan saponin into its furostan counterpart, as illustrated by the transformation of dioscin to methyl protodioscin (and its 26-thio-analogue), has been developed.

   Microbial metabolism of methyl protodioscin by Aspergillus niger culture-A new androstenedione producing way from steroid.:

 Methyl protodioscin, a natural furostanol biglycoside steroid, was a preclinical anticancer drug, which showed potent activity against most cell lines from leukemia and solid tumors in the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) human cancer panel. Metabolism of methyl protodioscin by Aspergillus niger was investigated. Seven metabolites were isolated and identified. Two main metabolites were pregnane glycosides and four were furostanol glycosides, together with the aglycone. It was found that steroidal saponin skeleton could be converted to pregnenolone skeleton only using microbial methods, which must have chemical procedures in the reported literatures. The proposed biosynthetic pathways of the microbial conversion products of methyl protodioscin were drawn. The found enriched the reaction types of microbial bioconversion and provided a new producing way of androstenedione from steroid. Most metabolites showed strong cytotoxic activities against HepG2, NCI-H460, HeLa, and MCF-7 cell lines.
 

   Methyl protodioscin induces G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HepG2 liver cancer cells.:

 Methyl protodioscin (NSC-698790) is one of the main bioactive components in the traditional Chinese medicine Dioscorea collettii var. hypoglauca (Dioscoreaceae). In this study, we investigated the anti-proliferative effect of methyl protodioscin on the HepG2 cells and the mechanism of the induced cytotoxicity. Treatment of methyl protodioscin resulted in G2/M arrest and apoptosis in HepG2 cells. These effects were attributed to down-regulation of Cyclin B1 and the signaling pathways leading to up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of BCL2, suggesting that methyl protodioscin may be a novel anti-mitotic agent.


   A new steroidal saponin from Dioscorea cayenensis.:

 The new 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3beta,26-dihydroxy-20,22-seco-25(R)-furost-5-en-20,22-dione-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), along with the known methyl protodioscin (2), asperoside (3) and prosapogenin A of dioscin (4) were isolated from the rhizomes of Dioscorea cayenensis LAM.-HOLL (Dioscoreaceae). Their structures were established mainly on the basis of 600 MHz 2D-NMR spectral data. 4 exhibited antifungal activity against the human pathogenic yeasts Candida albicans, C. glabrata and C. tropicalis (MICs of 20.8, 6.25, 25 microg/ml, respectively), whereas saponins 1-3 were inactive.

   Steroidal saponins from Dioscorea panthaica and their cytotoxic activity.:

 A new steroidal saponin, dioscoreside E (1), and a known compound, protodioscin (2), were isolated from an ethanol extract of the rhizomes of Dioscorea panthaica. The structure of 1 was established as 3-O-[bis-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2 and 1 --> 4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-20(R)-methoxy-25(R)-furosta-5,22(23)-diene-3beta,26-diol, on the basis of spectral and chemical evidence. Compounds 1 and 2 showed cytotoxic activity against a panel of tumor cell lines.

   Quantification of protodioscin and rutin in asparagus shoots by LC/MS and HPLC methods.:

 A liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method with selected ion monitoring was developed and validated to analyze the contents of protodioscin and rutin in asparagus. The distribution of rutin and protodioscin within the shoots was found to vary by location, with the tissue closest to the rhizome found to be a rich source of protodioscin, at an average level of 0.025% tissue fresh weight in the three tested lines, while the upper youngest shoot tissue contained the highest amount of rutin at levels of 0.03-0.06% tissue fresh weight. The lower portions of the asparagus shoots that are discarded during grading and processing should instead be considered a promising source of a new value-added nutraceutical product.

   Protodioscin (NSC-698 796): its spectrum of cytotoxicity against sixty human cancer cell lines in an anticancer drug screen panel.:

 Protodioscin (NSC-698 796) is a furostanol saponin isolated from the rhizome of Dioscorea collettii var. hypoglauca (Dioscoreaceae), a Chinese herbal remedy for the treatment of cervical carcinoma, carcinoma of urinary bladder and renal tumor for centuries. To systematically evaluate its potential anticancer activity, protodioscin was tested for cytotoxicity in vitro against 60 human cancer cell lines in the NCI's (National Cancer Institute, USA) anticancer drug screen. As a result, protodioscin was cytotoxic against most cell lines from leukemia and solid tumors in the NCI's human cancer panel, especially selectively against one leukemia line (MOLT-4), one NSCLC line (A549/ATCC), two colon cancer lines (HCT-116 and SW-620), one CNS cancer line (SNB-75), one melanoma line (LOX IMVI), and one renal cancer line (786 - 0) with GI50 < or = 2.0 microM. In the general view of mean graphs, leukemia, colon cancer and prostate cancer are the most sensitive subpanels, while ovarian cancer is the least sensitive subpanel. Based on an analysis of COMPARE computer program with protodioscin as a seed compound, no compounds in the NCI's anticancer drug screen database have cytotoxicity patterns (mean graphs) similar to those of protodioscin, indicating that a potential novel mechanism of anticancer action is involved.

   Determination of steroidal saponins in Tribulus terrestris by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and evaporative light scattering detection.:

 This paper describes the first analytical method suitable for the determination of steroidal saponins in Tribulus terrestris. A separation by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was achieved by using a reversed-phase (RP-18) column, evaporative light scattering (ELS) detection, and a water/acetonitrile gradient as the mobile phase. The marker compound, protodioscin, was detected at a concentration as low as 10.0 microg/mL. Several different samples of plant material were successfully analyzed, and depending on origin and plant part used for extraction, significant differences in the composition of the saponins were observed. The analysis of market products showed considerable variations of 0.17 to 6.49% in the protodioscin content.


   Aphrodisiac properties of Tribulus Terrestris extract (Protodioscin) in normal and castrated rats.:Gauthaman K , Adaikan PG , Prasad RN.Source:Life Sci, 71(12): 1385-96 2002

 Tribulus terrestris (TT) has long been used in the traditional Chinese and Indian systems of medicine for the treatment of various ailments and is popularly claimed to improve sexual functions in man. Sexual behaviour and intracavernous pressure (ICP) were studied in both normal and castrated rats to further understand the role of TT containing protodioscin (PTN) as an aphrodisiac. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups of 8 each that included distilled water treated (normal and castrated), testosterone treated (normal and castrated, 10 mg/kg body weight, subcutaneously, bi-weekly) and TT treated (castrated, 5 mg/kg body weight, orally once daily). Decreases in body weight, prostate weight and ICP were observed among the castrated groups of rats compared to the intact group. There was an overall reduction in the sexual behaviour parameters in the castrated groups of rats as reflected by decrease in mount and intromission frequencies (MF and IF) and increase in mount, intromission, ejaculation latencies (ML, IL, EL) as well as post-ejaculatory interval (PEI). Compared to the castrated control, treatment of castrated rats (with either testosterone or TT extract) showed increase in prostate weight and ICP that were statistically significant. There was also a mild to moderate improvement of the sexual behaviour parameters as evidenced by increase in MF and IF; decrease in ML, IL and PEI. These results were statistically significant. It is concluded that TT extract appears to possess aphrodisiac activity probably due to androgen increasing property of TT (observed in our earlier study on primates).

   Proerectile pharmacological effects of Tribulus terrestris extract on the rabbit corpus cavernosum.:Adaikan PG , Gauthaman K , Prasad RN , Ng SC.Source:Ann Acad Med Singapore, 29(1): 22-6 2000

 INTRODUCTION: The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of oral treatment of Tribulus terrestris (TT) extract on the isolated corpus cavernosal tissue of New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits and to determine the mechanism by which protodioscin (PTN), a constituent of the TT, exerts its pharmacological effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four NZW rabbits were randomly assigned to 4 experimental groups of 6 each. Group I served as control. Groups II to IV were treated with the extract at different dose levels, i.e. 2.5 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The TT extract was administered orally, once daily, for a period of 8 weeks. The rabbits were then sacrificed and their penile tissue isolated to evaluate the responses to both contracting and relaxing pharmacological agents and electrical field stimulation (EFS). RESULTS: PTN on its own had no effect on the isolated corpus cavernosal strips. The relaxant responses to EFS, acetylcholine and nitroglycerin in noradrenaline precontracted tissues from treated groups showed an increase in relaxation of a concentration dependent nature compared to that of the tissues from control group. However, the contractile, anti-erectile response of corpus cavernosal tissue to noradrenaline and histamine showed no significant change between the treatment and the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The relaxant responses to acetylcholine, nitroglycerin and EFS by more than 10%, 24% and 10% respectively compared to their control values and the lack of such effect on the contractile response to noradrenaline and histamine indicate that PTN has a proerectile activity. The enhanced relaxant effect observed is probably due to increase in the release of nitric oxide from the endothelium and nitrergic nerve endings, which may account for its claims as an aphrodisiac. However, further study is needed to clarify the precise mechanism of its action.

   Phytochemicals and the breakthrough of traditional herbs in the management of sexual dysfunctions.:Adimoelja A.Source:Int J Androl, 23 Suppl 2(): 82-4 2000

 Traditional herbs have been a revolutionary breakthrough in the management of erectile dysfunction and have become known world-wide as an 'instant' treatment. The modern view of the management of erectile dysfunction subscribes to a single etiology, i.e. the mechanism of erection. A large number of pharmacological agents are orally consumed and vasoactive agents inserted intraurethrally or injected intrapenially to regain good erection. Modern phytochemicals have developed from traditional herbs. Phytochemicals focus their mechanism of healing action to the root cause, i.e. the inability to control the proper function of the whole body system. Hence phytochemicals manage erectile dysfunction in the frame of sexual dysfunction as a whole entity. Protodioscin is a phytochemical agent derived from Tribulus terrestris L plant, which has been clinically proven to improve sexual desire and enhance erection via the conversion of protodioscine to DHEA (De-Hydro-Epi-Androsterone). Preliminary observations suggest that Tribulus terrestris L grown on different soils does not consistently produce the active component Protodioscin. Further photochemical studies of many other herbal plants are needed to explain the inconsistent results found with other herbal plants, such as in diversities of Ginseng, Eurycoma longifolia, Pimpinella pruacen, Muara puama, Ginkgo biloba, Yohimbe etc.

   Protodioscin (NSC-698 796): its spectrum of cytotoxicity against sixty human cancer cell lines in an anticancer drug screen panel.:Hu K , Yao X.Source:Planta Med, 68(4): 297-301 2002

 Protodioscin (NSC-698 796) is a furostanol saponin isolated from the rhizome of Dioscorea collettii var. hypoglauca (Dioscoreaceae), a Chinese herbal remedy for the treatment of cervical carcinoma, carcinoma of urinary bladder and renal tumor for centuries. To systematically evaluate its potential anticancer activity, protodioscin was tested for cytotoxicity in vitro against 60 human cancer cell lines in the NCI's (National Cancer Institute, USA) anticancer drug screen. As a result, protodioscin was cytotoxic against most cell lines from leukemia and solid tumors in the NCI's human cancer panel, especially selectively against one leukemia line (MOLT-4), one NSCLC line (A549/ATCC), two colon cancer lines (HCT-116 and SW-620), one CNS cancer line (SNB-75), one melanoma line (LOX IMVI), and one renal cancer line (786 - 0) with GI50 < or = 2.0 microM. In the general view of mean graphs, leukemia, colon cancer and prostate cancer are the most sensitive subpanels, while ovarian cancer is the least sensitive subpanel. Based on an analysis of COMPARE computer program with protodioscin as a seed compound, no compounds in the NCI's anticancer drug screen database have cytotoxicity patterns (mean graphs) similar to those of protodioscin, indicating that a potential novel mechanism of anticancer action is involved.

   Determination of steroidal saponins in Tribulus terrestris by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and evaporative light scattering detection.:Ganzera M , Bedir E , Khan IA.Source:J Pharm Sci, 90(11): 1752-8 2001

 This paper describes the first analytical method suitable for the determination of steroidal saponins in Tribulus terrestris. A separation by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was achieved by using a reversed-phase (RP-18) column, evaporative light scattering (ELS) detection, and a water/acetonitrile gradient as the mobile phase. The marker compound, protodioscin, was detected at a concentration as low as 10.0 microg/mL. Several different samples of plant material were successfully analyzed, and depending on origin and plant part used for extraction, significant differences in the composition of the saponins were observed. The analysis of market products showed considerable variations of 0.17 to 6.49% in the protodioscin content.


   Two new sulfated furostanol saponins from Tribulus terrestris.:Kostova I , Dinchev D , Rentsch GH , Dimitrov V , Ivanova A;Source:Z Naturforsch [C], 57(1-2): 33-8 0

 The known furostanol saponins methylprotodioscin and protodioscin and two new sulfated saponins, sodium salt of 26-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-22alpha-methoxy-(25R)-furost-5-ene-3beta,26-diol-3-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-4-O-sulfo-glucopyranoside (methylprototribestin) and sodium salt of 26-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-22alpha-hydroxy-(25R)-furost-5-ene-3beta,26-diol-3-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-4-O-sulfo-glucopyranoside (prototribestin) have been isolated from the aerial parts of Tribulus terrestris L. growing in Bulgaria. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D (DQF-COSY, TOCSY, HSQC-TOCSY, HSQC, HMBC, ROESY) NMR data, ESI mass spectra and chemical transformation.

   Phytochemicals and the breakthrough of traditional herbs in the management of sexual dysfunctions.:Adimoelja A,Source:Int J Androl, 23 Suppl 2(): 82-4 2000

 Traditional herbs have been a revolutionary breakthrough in the management of erectile dysfunction and have become known world-wide as an 'instant' treatment. The modern view of the management of erectile dysfunction subscribes to a single etiology, i.e. the mechanism of erection. A large number of pharmacological agents are orally consumed and vasoactive agents inserted intraurethrally or injected intrapenially to regain good erection. Modern phytochemicals have developed from traditional herbs. Phytochemicals focus their mechanism of healing action to the root cause, i.e. the inability to control the proper function of the whole body system. Hence phytochemicals manage erectile dysfunction in the frame of sexual dysfunction as a whole entity. Protodioscin is a phytochemical agent derived from Tribulus terrestris L plant, which has been clinically proven to improve sexual desire and enhance erection via the conversion of protodioscine to DHEA (De-Hydro-Epi-Androsterone). Preliminary observations suggest that Tribulus terrestris L grown on different soils does not consistently produce the active component Protodioscin. Further photochemical studies of many other herbal plants are needed to explain the inconsistent results found with other herbal plants, such as in diversities of Ginseng, Eurycoma longifolia, Pimpinella pruacen, Muara puama, Ginkgo biloba, Yohimbe etc.

   Quantification of protodioscin and rutin in asparagus shoots by LC/MS and HPLC methods.:

 J Agric Food Chem. 2003; 51(21):6132-6 (ISSN: 0021-8561).Wang M; Tadmor Y; Wu QL; Chin CK; Garrison SA; Simon JE.New Use Agriculture and Natural Plant Products Program and Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, Cook College, Rutgers University, and New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, USA. mwang@aesop.rutgers.edu

 A liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method with selected ion monitoring was developed and validated to analyze the contents of protodioscin and rutin in asparagus. The distribution of rutin and protodioscin within the shoots was found to vary by location, with the tissue closest to the rhizome found to be a rich source of protodioscin, at an average level of 0.025% tissue fresh weight in the three tested lines, while the upper youngest shoot tissue contained the highest amount of rutin at levels of 0.03-0.06% tissue fresh weight. The lower portions of the asparagus shoots that are discarded during grading and processing should instead be considered a promising source of a new value-added nutraceutical product.

   Protodioscin isolated from fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L.) induces cell death and morphological change indicative of apoptosis in leukemic cell line H-60, but not in gastric cancer cell line KATO III.:Int J Mol Med. 2003; 11(1):23-6 (ISSN: 1107-3756)

 Protodioscin (PD) was purified from fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L.) and identified by Mass, and 1H- and 13C-NMR. The effects of PD on cell viability in human leukemia HL-60 and human stomach cancer KATO III cells were investigated. PD displayed strong growth inhibitory effect against HL-60 cells, but weak growth inhibitory effect on KATO III cells. Morphological change showing apoptotic bodies was observed in the HL-60 cells treated with PD, but not in KATO III cells treated with PD. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the hypodiploid nuclei of HL-60 cells were increased to 75.2, 96.3, and 100% after a 3-day treatment with 2.5, 5, and 10 microM PD, respectively. The fragmentation by PD of DNA to oligonucleosomal-sized fragments, that is a characteristic of apoptosis, was observed to be both concentration- and time-dependent in the HL-60 cells. These findings suggest that growth inhibition by PD of HL-60 cells results from the induction of apoptosis by this compound in HL-60 cells.

   Sexual effects of puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris) extract (protodioscin): an evaluation using a rat model.:

 J Altern Complement Med. 2003; 9(2):257-65 (ISSN: 1075-5535).Gauthaman K; Ganesan AP; Prasad RN.Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Hospital, National University of Singapore, Singapore.

 OBJECTIVE: Apart from its claims for improvement of sexual functions in men, the puncturevine plant (Tribulus terrestris: TT) has long been considered as an energizer and vitalizer in the indigenous system of medicine. Sexual behavior and intracavernous pressure (ICP) measurements were taken in rats to scientifically validate the claim of TT [containing protodioscin (PTN)] as an aphrodisiac. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty sexually mature male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups of 10 each. Group I served as a control group and groups II, III, and IV were treated with three different doses of TT extract (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight, respectively), orally, once daily for 8 weeks. Weight was recorded and the rats from all four groups were subjected to sexual behavior studies with primed females and various parameters namely mount and intromission frequencies (MF and IF, respectively), mount, intromission and ejaculation latencies (ML, IL, and EL, respectively) as well as postejaculatory interval (PEI) were recorded. In addition, blood pressure and ICP were recorded for all rats at the end of study. RESULTS: Increases in body weight (by 9, 23, and 18% for groups II, III & IV) and ICP (by 43% and 26% for groups III and IV) were statistically significant compared to the control group. Increases in MF (by 27% and 24%) and IF (by 19% and 22%) for the groups III and IV were statistically significant. Decreases in ML (by 16%, 23%, and 22% for groups II, III, and IV) and PEI (by 20% for group III) were statistically significant compared to the control. CONCLUSIONS: The weight gain and improvement in sexual behavior parameters observed in rats could be secondary to the androgen increasing property of TT (PTN) that was observed in our earlier study on primates. The increase in ICP which confirms the proerectile aphrodisiac property of TT could possibly be the result of an increase in androgen and subsequent release of nitric oxide from the nerve endings innervating the corpus cavernosum.


   Protodioscin (NSC-698 796): its spectrum of cytotoxicity against sixty human cancer cell lines in an anticancer drug screen panel.:

 Planta Med. 2002; 68(4):297-301 (ISSN: 0032-0943).Hu K; Yao X.Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260, USA. kehu@ascu.buffalo.edu

 Protodioscin (NSC-698 796) is a furostanol saponin isolated from the rhizome of Dioscorea collettii var. hypoglauca (Dioscoreaceae), a Chinese herbal remedy for the treatment of cervical carcinoma, carcinoma of urinary bladder and renal tumor for centuries. To systematically evaluate its potential anticancer activity, protodioscin was tested for cytotoxicity in vitro against 60 human cancer cell lines in the NCI's (National Cancer Institute, USA) anticancer drug screen. As a result, protodioscin was cytotoxic against most cell lines from leukemia and solid tumors in the NCI's human cancer panel, especially selectively against one leukemia line (MOLT-4), one NSCLC line (A549/ATCC), two colon cancer lines (HCT-116 and SW-620), one CNS cancer line (SNB-75), one melanoma line (LOX IMVI), and one renal cancer line (786 - 0) with GI50 < or = 2.0 microM. In the general view of mean graphs, leukemia, colon cancer and prostate cancer are the most sensitive subpanels, while ovarian cancer is the least sensitive subpanel. Based on an analysis of COMPARE computer program with protodioscin as a seed compound, no compounds in the NCI's anticancer drug screen database have cytotoxicity patterns (mean graphs) similar to those of protodioscin, indicating that a potential novel mechanism of anticancer action is involved.

   Aphrodisiac properties of Tribulus Terrestris extract (Protodioscin) in normal and castrated rats.:

 Life Sci. 2002; 71(12):1385-96 (ISSN: 0024-3205).Gauthaman K; Adaikan PG; Prasad RN.Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Hospital, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119704, Singapore.

 Tribulus terrestris (TT) has long been used in the traditional Chinese and Indian systems of medicine for the treatment of various ailments and is popularly claimed to improve sexual functions in man. Sexual behaviour and intracavernous pressure (ICP) were studied in both normal and castrated rats to further understand the role of TT containing protodioscin (PTN) as an aphrodisiac. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups of 8 each that included distilled water treated (normal and castrated), testosterone treated (normal and castrated, 10 mg/kg body weight, subcutaneously, bi-weekly) and TT treated (castrated, 5 mg/kg body weight, orally once daily). Decreases in body weight, prostate weight and ICP were observed among the castrated groups of rats compared to the intact group. There was an overall reduction in the sexual behaviour parameters in the castrated groups of rats as reflected by decrease in mount and intromission frequencies (MF and IF) and increase in mount, intromission, ejaculation latencies (ML, IL, EL) as well as post-ejaculatory interval (PEI). Compared to the castrated control, treatment of castrated rats (with either testosterone or TT extract) showed increase in prostate weight and ICP that were statistically significant. There was also a mild to moderate improvement of the sexual behaviour parameters as evidenced by increase in MF and IF; decrease in ML, IL and PEI. These results were statistically significant. It is concluded that TT extract appears to possess aphrodisiac activity probably due to androgen increasing property of TT (observed in our earlier study on primates).

   Study on chemical constituents in total saponin from Trigonella foenum-graecum.:

 Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2005; 30(18):1428-30 (ISSN: 1001-5302).Yang WX; Huang HY; Wang YJ; Jia ZY; Li LL.Changji Medical School, Changji 831100, China. ywxyt@163.com

 OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents in the total saponin from Trigonellf foenum-graecum. METHOD: The compounds were isolated by column chromatography on macroporous resin and silica gel and elucidated by physical and chemical evidences and spectroscopic analysis. RESULT: Two compounds were obtained and identifiedas methyl-protodioscin and methyl-protodeltonin. CONCLUSION: Methyl-protodioscin and methyl-protodeltonin were isolated from this plant for the first time.

   A new steroidal saponin from Dioscorea cayenensis.:

 Chem Pharm Bull. 2004; 52(11):1353-5 (ISSN: 0009-2363).Sautour M; Mitaine-Offer AC; Miyamoto T; Dongmo A; Lacaille-Dubois MA.Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie, Unit?? UMIB, EA 3660, Facult?? de Pharmacie, Universit?? de Bourgogne, 7 Boulevard Jeanne d'Arc, BP 87900, 21079 Dijon Cedex, France.

 The new 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3beta,26-dihydroxy-20,22-seco-25(R)-furost-5-en-20,22-dione-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), along with the known methyl protodioscin (2), asperoside (3) and prosapogenin A of dioscin (4) were isolated from the rhizomes of Dioscorea cayenensis LAM.-HOLL (Dioscoreaceae). Their structures were established mainly on the basis of 600 MHz 2D-NMR spectral data. 4 exhibited antifungal activity against the human pathogenic yeasts Candida albicans, C. glabrata and C. tropicalis (MICs of 20.8, 6.25, 25 microg/ml, respectively), whereas saponins 1-3 were inactive.

   Steroidal saponins from Dioscorea panthaica and their cytotoxic activity.:

 Pharmazie. 2004; 59(4):294-6 (ISSN: 0031-7144).Dong M; Feng XZ; Wang BX; Ikejima T; Wu LJ.Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

 A new steroidal saponin, dioscoreside E (1), and a known compound, protodioscin (2), were isolated from an ethanol extract of the rhizomes of Dioscorea panthaica. The structure of 1 was established as 3-O-[bis-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2 and 1 --> 4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-20(R)-methoxy-25(R)-furosta-5,22(23)-diene-3beta,26-diol, on the basis of spectral and chemical evidence. Compounds 1 and 2 showed cytotoxic activity against a panel of tumor cell lines.


   Furostanol saponins from Tribulus terrestris.:

 Fitoterapia. 2003; 74(6):583-91 (ISSN: 0367-326X).De Combarieu E; Fuzzati N; Lovati M; Mercalli E.Research and Development Laboratories, Indena SpA, Via Don Minzoni 6, Settala (MI) 20090, Italy.

 An HPLC-ELSD-ESI-MS method has been developed for the analysis of the steroidal saponins in the aerial parts of Tribulus terrestris. Protodioscin, a new saponin (5,6-dihydroprotodioscin, neoprotodioscin) and their respective sulfates were detected. The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of NMR and ESI-MS spectral analysis.

   Isolation and identification of steroidal saponins in Taiwanese yam cultivar (Dioscorea pseudojaponica Yamamoto).:

 J Agric Food Chem. 2003; 51(22):6438-44 (ISSN: 0021-8561).Yang DJ; Lu TJ; Hwang LS.Graduate Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, 59 Lane 144, Keelung Road, Sec. 4, Taipei, Taiwan 106, Republic of China.

 A new furostanol pentaoligoside and spirostanol tetraoligoside were isolated for the first time from yam tubers (Dioscorea pseudojaponica Yamamoto) from Taiwan, together with four known yam saponins, methyl protodioscin, methyl protogracillin, dioscin, and gracillin. Their structures were characterized as 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-22alpha-methoxyl-(25R)-furost-5-en-3beta,26-diol, 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-([alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)])-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and (25R)-spirost-5-en-3beta-ol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-([alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)])-beta-D-glucopyranoside. The structural identification was performed using LC-MS and 1H and 13C NMR. The methanol extract of yam tubers was fractionated by XAD-2 column chromatography using a methanol/water gradient elution system to yield furostanol and spirostanol glycoside fractions. Preparative high-performance liquid chromatography, employing a C18 column and a mobile phase of methanol/water (69:31, v/v), was used to separate each furostanol glycoside, whereas a mobile phase of methanol/water (79:21, v/v) was used to resolve the individual spirostanol glycosides. The conversions from steroid saponins to diosgenin after acid hydrolysis were around 68 and 90% for furostanol and spirostanol glycosides, respectively.

   Determination of steroidal saponins in Tribulus terrestris by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and evaporative light scattering detection.:

 J Pharm Sci. 2001; 90(11):1752-8 (ISSN: 0022-3549).Ganzera M; Bedir E; Khan IA.National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, USA.

 This paper describes the first analytical method suitable for the determination of steroidal saponins in Tribulus terrestris. A separation by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was achieved by using a reversed-phase (RP-18) column, evaporative light scattering (ELS) detection, and a water/acetonitrile gradient as the mobile phase. The marker compound, protodioscin, was detected at a concentration as low as 10.0 microg/mL. Several different samples of plant material were successfully analyzed, and depending on origin and plant part used for extraction, significant differences in the composition of the saponins were observed. The analysis of market products showed considerable variations of 0.17 to 6.49% in the protodioscin content.

   Phytochemicals and the breakthrough of traditional herbs in the management of sexual dysfunctions.:

 Int J Androl. 2000; 23 Suppl 2:82-4 (ISSN: 0105-6263).Adimoelja A.School of medicine 'Hang Tuah' University, Teaching and Naval Hospital,Surabaya, Indonesia.

 Traditional herbs have been a revolutionary breakthrough in the management of erectile dysfunction and have become known world-wide as an 'instant' treatment. The modern view of the management of erectile dysfunction subscribes to a single etiology, i.e. the mechanism of erection. A large number of pharmacological agents are orally consumed and vasoactive agents inserted intraurethrally or injected intrapenially to regain good erection. Modern phytochemicals have developed from traditional herbs. Phytochemicals focus their mechanism of healing action to the root cause, i.e. the inability to control the proper function of the whole body system. Hence phytochemicals manage erectile dysfunction in the frame of sexual dysfunction as a whole entity. Protodioscin is a phytochemical agent derived from Tribulus terrestris L plant, which has been clinically proven to improve sexual desire and enhance erection via the conversion of protodioscine to DHEA (De-Hydro-Epi-Androsterone). Preliminary observations suggest that Tribulus terrestris L grown on different soils does not consistently produce the active component Protodioscin. Further photochemical studies of many other herbal plants are needed to explain the inconsistent results found with other herbal plants, such as in diversities of Ginseng, Eurycoma longifolia, Pimpinella pruacen, Muara puama, Ginkgo biloba, Yohimbe etc.

   Steroidal saponins from Asparagus officinalis and their cytotoxic activity.:

 Planta Med. 1997; 63(3):258-62 (ISSN: 0032-0943).Shao Y; Poobrasert O; Kennelly EJ; Chin CK; Ho CT; Huang MT; Garrison SA; Cordell GA.Department of Plant Science, Cook College, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick 08903, USA.

 Two oligofurostanosides were isolated from the seeds of Asparagus officinalis L and their structures characterized as 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl- (1-->4))-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-26-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-(25R) -22 alpha-methoxyfurost-5-ene-3 beta,26-diol(methyl protodioscin) and its corresponding 22 alpha-hydroxy analogue (protodioscin). The structural identification was performed using detailed analysis of 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra including two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy (COSY, HMQC, NOESY and HMBC), and chemical conversions. These two compounds have been shown to inhibit the growth of human leukemia HL-60 cells in culture and macromolecular synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect on DNA synthesis was found to be irreversible.


   Proerectile pharmacological effects of Tribulus terrestris extract on the rabbit corpus cavernosum.:

 Ann Acad Med Singapore. 2000; 29(1):22-6 (ISSN: 0304-4602).Adaikan PG; Gauthaman K; Prasad RN; Ng SC.Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, National University Hospital, National University of Singapore, Singapore. obgadaik@nus.edu.sg

 INTRODUCTION: The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of oral treatment of Tribulus terrestris (TT) extract on the isolated corpus cavernosal tissue of New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits and to determine the mechanism by which protodioscin (PTN), a constituent of the TT, exerts its pharmacological effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four NZW rabbits were randomly assigned to 4 experimental groups of 6 each. Group I served as control. Groups II to IV were treated with the extract at different dose levels, i.e. 2.5 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The TT extract was administered orally, once daily, for a period of 8 weeks. The rabbits were then sacrificed and their penile tissue isolated to evaluate the responses to both contracting and relaxing pharmacological agents and electrical field stimulation (EFS). RESULTS: PTN on its own had no effect on the isolated corpus cavernosal strips. The relaxant responses to EFS, acetylcholine and nitroglycerin in noradrenaline precontracted tissues from treated groups showed an increase in relaxation of a concentration dependent nature compared to that of the tissues from control group. However, the contractile, anti-erectile response of corpus cavernosal tissue to noradrenaline and histamine showed no significant change between the treatment and the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The relaxant responses to acetylcholine, nitroglycerin and EFS by more than 10%, 24% and 10% respectively compared to their control values and the lack of such effect on the contractile response to noradrenaline and histamine indicate that PTN has a proerectile activity. The enhanced relaxant effect observed is probably due to increase in the release of nitric oxide from the endothelium and nitrergic nerve endings, which may account for its claims as an aphrodisiac. However, further study is needed to clarify the precise mechanism of its action.

   Steroidal saponins from the rhizomes of Smilax menispermoidea.:

 Phytochemistry. 1992; 31(4):1349-51 (ISSN: 0031-9422).Ju Y; Jia ZJ.State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Lanzhou University, P.R. China.

 Four steroidal saponins were isolated from the dried rhizomes of Smilax menispermoidea. One of them is new and its structure was established as (25S)spirost-5-en-3 beta,17 alpha-triol-3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1----2)] [alhpa-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1----4)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside using spectrometry and chemical methods, as well as comparison with three known steroidal saponins, dioscin, methyl protodioscin and pseudoprotodioscin.


  Scientific References:

  1.Dioscorea gracillima miq extract and Protodioscin:Functions,Combination case study and Research findings.......
  2.Pharmacological, pharmacokinetic, toxicological and clinical studies on protodioscin.I. Viktorov, E. Bozadjieva, M. Protich, et al. Higher Medical Institute; Medical Academy Institute of Endocrinology, Gerontology and Geriatrics; Medical Academy Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bulgaria IIMS Therapeutic Focus (1994)
  3.Research Update of Protodioscin related.