Identification and biological activities of triterpenoid saponins from Chenopodium quinoa

At least 16 saponins were detected in the seeds of Chenopodium quinoa. The 5 previously isolated major saponins, 3-O-beta -D-glucuronopyranosyl oleano lic acid 28-O-beta -D-glucopyranosyl ester, 3-O-alpha -L-arabinopyranosyl h ederagenin 28-O-beta -D-glucopyranosyl ester, 3-O-beta -D-glucopyranosyl-(1 -->3)-alpha -L-arabinopyranosyl hederagenin 28-O-beta -D-glucopyranosyl es ter, 3-O-alpha -L-arabinopyranosyl phytolaccagenic acid 28-O-beta -D-glucop yranosyl ester, 3-O-beta -D-glucopyranosyl-(1 -->3)-L-arabinopyranosyl phyt olaccagenic acid 28-O-beta -D-glucopyranosyl ester, and the new saponin 3-O -beta -D-glucopyranosyl(1 -->3)-alpha -L-arabinopyranosyl-phytolaccagenic a cid were isolated and characterized using mainly NMR spectroscopy, mass spe ctrometry, and chemical methods. The antifungal activity against Candida al bicans and hemolytic activity on erythrocytes of these compounds and derive d monodesmosides were evaluated. Both bidesmosides and derived monodesmosid es showed little or no antifungal activity, whereas a comparatively higher degree of hemolytic activity could be determined for monodesmosides.