In this study, phytochemical investigation on the aerial parts of Bupleurum falcatum resulted in the isolation of fourteen compounds including three quinic acid derivatives (1 - 3), five flavonoids (4 - 8), three monoterpene glycosides (9 - 11), and three saikosaponins (12 - 14). Compound 1 was first isolated from nature and unambiguously determined to be 3-O-feruloyl 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid on the basis of the extensive spectroscopic evidence. Biological testing revealed that saikosaponin A (12) and saikosaponin D (13) showed moderate antiproliferative effects on HL-60 and HepG2 cancer cell lines.
Bupleurum* ; Cell Line ; Flavonoids ; Glycosides ; Quinic Acid

OBJECTIVETo establish a novel immunoassay for qualitative detection of ginsenoside Rb1 in rat serum.

METHODSAnti-G-Rb1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) was through a hybridoma approach. Rat serum containing G-Rb1 was deproteinized with methanol to prepare the sample for testing, which was loaded onto polyethersulfone (PES) membrane and developed in the mixture of acetonitrile, water and acetic acid (25:75:1). After treatment with NaIO(4), the membrane was transferred to 1% BSA solution for immobilization of G-Rb1. The membrane was subsequently treated with anti-G-Rb1 mAb solution, followed by addition of peroxidase-labeled goat anti-mouse IgG and color development using 4-chloro-1-naphthol-0.03% H(2)O(2).

RESULTSOn the PES membrane, a clear blue spot representing G-Rb1 occurred where the rat serum for testing and the standard G-Rb1 samples were blotted. The limit of this immunodetection was 0.25 microg.

CONCLUSIONThis immunoassay has greater specificity and reliability than thin-layer chromatography with a sensitivity similar to that of high-performance liquid chromatography, and does not require sophisticated equipment for convenient G-Rb1 detection in rat serum.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; biosynthesis ; Ginsenosides ; analysis ; blood ; Hybridomas ; Immunoassay ; Limit of Detection ; Rats