The antifungal activity of triterpenoid saponins, with hederagenin or oleanolic acid as aglycone, was investigated in vitro by the agar dilution method. Monodesmosidic hederagenin derivatives were shown to exhibit a broad spectrum of activity against yeast as well as dermatophyte species. α-Hederin was the most active Compound, and Candida glabrata was the most susceptible strain. The structure-activity relationships are discussed.
Triterpenoid saponins - antifungal activity - hederagenin - monodesmosides -
Candida glabrata
- dermatophytes
