Anti-inflammatory Effects of Mi-saponin

Abstract

The anti-inflammatory actions of Mi-saponin, which was isolated from the seeds of Madhuca longifolia L. and whose structures are closely related to those of the saponins of Senega and Polygala, were compared with those of two standard drugs, phenylbutazone and β-escin which is the saponin mixture present in the seeds of Aesculus hippocastanum L. (1) Mi-saponin was found to have anti-edematous action on carrageenin edema and inhibitory actions against increased vascular permeability, cotton pellet granulation and peritonitis-induced inflammatory exudate. (2) The anti-inflammatory actions of Mi-saponin were nearly equal to those of β-escin, whereas the actions of Mi-saponin were weaker than those of phenylbutazone in general. (3) In some cases the concurrent use of Mi-saponin with phenylbutazone exerted anti-granulation action stronger than that of the individual compounds.