sapogenins and dioscin

From the rhizomes of T. Communis two steroidal glycosides were isolated and identified as dioscin [diosgenin bis-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1----2 and 1----4) -beta-D-glucopyranoside] and gracillin [diosgenin-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1----2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1----3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, MS (FAB) and chemical evidences. It is interesting to note that this is the first report of the occurrence of dioscin and gracillin in the rhizomes of T. communis.

Topics: Diosgenin; Glycosides; Plants, Medicinal; Sapogenins; Spirostans; Steroids

Voluntary wheel running in rats in reaction to a dietary deficiency of iron or food toxicants of natural (dioscin) and environmental (cadmium) origins was used to develop a behavioral model by which rapid detection of food contaminants was accomplished following induction of spontaneous activity by techniques of feed restriction. High levels of voluntary wheel running in reference controls were followed by significant depressions in running activity in animals fed the dietary toxicants. Analyses of blood and liver tissues and depressions of testes size confirmed the presence of the insults to metabolism.

Topics: Animals; Cadmium; Diosgenin; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Food Deprivation; Glycosides; Iron; Iron Deficiencies; Liver; Male; Motor Activity; Rats; Sapogenins; Testis