Download PDF
Planta Med 1993; 59(1): 76-79
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-959609
Paper

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Saponins in the Leaves of Birch? Hemolytic Dammarane Triterpenoid Esters of Betula pendula

Burkhard Rickling, Karl-Werner Glombitza
  • Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie, Universität Bonn, Nussallee 6, D-5300 Bonn 1, Federal Republic of Germany
Further Information

Publication History

1992

1992

Publication Date:
04 January 2007 (online)

Also available at
  PDF Download  Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Three hemolytic dammarane triterpenes, esterified with malonate at C-3 and acetate at C-12, were isolated from the leaves of Betula pendula. Their structures were elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic means. Former reports on the presence of saponins in birch leaf extracts could not be confirmed. The hemolytic activity of the extracts, which was ascribed to saponins, is caused by the dammarane esters instead. A fraction containing a mixture of the dammarane esters did not exhibit diuretic activity when tested p.o. in male Wistar rats.

Key words

Betula pendula - Betulaceae - saponins - dammarane esters - hemolysis - diuretic activity