HPLC profile analysis of hepatoprotective oleanene-glucuronides in Puerariae Flos

In order to confirm the constitution of hepatoprotective oleanene glucuroni de (OG), HPLC profile analyses of the total OG fractions of both Puerariae Thomsonii Flos (the flowers of Pueraria thomsonii) and Pucrariae Lobatae Fl os (the flowers of P. lobata) were performed. No remarkable difference in t he HPLC profiles with respect to OGs in the flowers was shown, in contrast to those of the roots. By repeated chromatography of the total OC fraction of Puerariae Thomsonii Flos, soyasaponin I (1), kaikasaponin III (2) and ka kkasaponin I (3), which had been already isolated from Puerariae Lobatae Fl os, were obtained. The hepatoprotective activity of 2 towards immunological ly induced liver injury was significantly more effective than that of 1. Th is information supported previously obtained structure-hepatoprotective rel ationship data which nas measured on another model. The structure-activity relationship information which suggested that the hydroxymethyl group of th e galactosyl unit would enhance the hepatoprotective activity was also subs tantiated.