INHIBITORY EFFECT OF BUPLEURI RADIX SAPONINS ON ADHESION OF SOME SOLID TUMOR-CELLS AND RELATION TO HEMOLYTIC ACTION - SCREENING OF 232 HERBAL DRUGS FOR ANTI-CELL ADHESION

Anti-cell adhesive activity and hemolytic action of herbal drugs were investigated. Among 232 herbal drugs tested, six showed a remarkable a nti-cell adhesive activity, and the extract from the roots of Bupleuru m falcatum (Umbelliferae), the semen of Psorala corylifolia (Leguminos ae), and the semen of Areca cotechu (Palmae) showed an anti-cell adhes ive action at non-cytotoxic concentrations. Saikosaponins-a, d and e, isolated from the roots of Bupleurum folcatum, exhibited a potent anti -cell adhesive activity and a strong hemolytic action, In a structure- activity relationship for both activities, it seems that a sugar moiet y and an ether linkage between C-13 and C-28 are required for good bio activities. In addition, saikosaponin d with a beta-hydroxy group at C -16 was more potent than saikosaponin a possessing an alpha-hydroxy gr oup. Taken together, it is suggested that the mechanism for anti-cell adhesive activity of sakosaponin may resemble that for their hemolytic action.