[Effect of triterpene glycosides and polyene antibiotics on cell membrane permeability for K+ ions and UV-absorbing substances].

The effect of triterpene glycosides (cauloside C from Caulophyllum robustum, theasaponine from Thea sinensis, cucumarioside G from Cucumaria fraudatrix stichoposide A from Stichopus japonicus S., holothurines A and B from Holothuria mexicana, holothurine C from Bohadschia sp.) on the membrane permeability for K+ ions and UV-absorbing substances was compared with that of polyene antibiotics, viz., amphotericine B and nystatine. As a biological model fertilized eggs of sea urchin Strongylocentrotus nudus and yeast Saccharomyces carlsbergensis were used. In the sea urchin study most triterpene glycosides in low concentrations induced the outflux of K+ and in hgih concentrations that of both K+ and UV-absorbing agents. In the yeast study triterpene glycosides at identical doses induced the outflux of both K+ and UV-absorbing agents. The membranotropic effect of triterpene glycosides depended on the medium temperature and the biological system used.