Hemolytic action and surface activity of triterpene saponins from Anchusa officinalis L. Part 21: On the costituents of Boraginaceae.

Relationship between chemical structure, hemolytic action and surface activity of five glucosides of oleanolic acid were studied. Monodesmosidic saponins are more hemolytic than bisdesmosidic. The hemolytic activity of monodesmosides decreased with the length and the branching of the glucosidic chain. Surface activity is major in bisdesmosides. This property increases with the length of the glucosidic chain in monodesmosides. Increase of hemolytic action is accompanied by a decrease of surface activity.