| abstract |
Triterpene saponins of formula <IMAGE> wherein R1 is H or OH and R2 is a tetrasaccharide, or alternatively pentasaccharide, chain have antiinflammatory, mucolytic and antiedemic activities. Said saponins are isolated from roots and bark of Crossopteryx febrifuga, for instance by precipitating them, in form of a complex with cholesterol or sytosterol, from an alcoholic extract of the vegetal material and by partitioning the precipitate between an apolar solvent, which subtracts the complexing agent and a polar solvent in which saponins are soluble. |