Saponins Yucca

Phytochemistry Reviews (2005) 4: 177–190 DOI 10.1007/s11101-005-1234-5 Ó Springer 2005 Saponins and phenolics of Yucca schidigera Roezl: Chemistry and bioactivity Sonia Piacente1,*, Cosimo Pizza1 & Wieslaw Oleszek2 Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universita` degli Studi di Salerno, via Ponte Don Melillo, 84084, Fisciano (Salerno), Italy; 2Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, ul. Czartoryskich 8, 24100, Pulawy, Poland; *Author for correspondence (Tel: +39-089-962616; Fax: +39-089962828; E-mail: [email protected]) 1 Key words: animal nutrition, antioxidant activity, anti-yeast activity, foaming agent, furostanol saponins, NO production inhibition, platelet aggregation inhibition, resveratrol, spirostanol saponins, yuccaols A–E Abstract Yucca schidigera (Agavaceae) is one of the major commercial source of steroidal saponins. Two products of yucca are available on the market. These include dried and finely powdered logs (yucca powder) or mechanically pressed and thermally condensed juice (yucca extract). These products possess the GRAS label which allows their use as foaming agent in soft drink (root beer), pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, and feeding-stuffs industries. The main application of yucca products is in animal nutrition, in particular as a feed additive to reduce ammonia and fecal odors in animal excreta. The positive effects of dietary supplementation with yucca products on the growth rates, feed efficiency, and health of livestock seem to be due not only to the saponin constituents but also to other constituents. These observations prompted us to investigate the phenolic constituents of Y. schidigera. This study led to the isolation of resveratrol, trans3,3¢,5,5¢-tetrahydroxy-4¢-methoxystilbene, the sprirobiflavonoid larixinol along with novel phenolic derivatives with very unusual spirostructures, named yuccaols A–E and yuccaone A. Taking into account the multifunctional activities of resveratrol and the novelty of yuccaols A–E, structurally related to resveratrol, a program aimed to evaluate for yucca phenolics some of the activities exerted by resveratrol has been carried out. This review describes the chemistry of yucca saponins and phenolics, summarizes the biological activities of yucca products and constituents and gives an account on the actual and potential applications of yucca products. Introduction Yucca schidigera, known as yucca, is a plant belonging to the Agavaceae family, native to the South-Western United States and Mexico. Indians recognized Yucca as one of the nicest desert plants, ‘a tree of life’ with health promoting activity. Its extracts have been used for centuries in folk medicine to treat a wide variety of inflammatory disorders, especially headaches, gonorrhea, arthritis, and rheumatism (Cheeke, 1998). Two products obtained from the trunk of Y. schidigera are available on the market: yucca powder which is dried and finely powdered logs and yucca extract which is obtained by subjecting the powdered material to mechanical squeezing in a press, producing a juice which is concentrated by evaporation. These products possess GRAS label (Generally Recognized As Safe) given by FDA which allows their human dietary use. An important application of yucca extract is as foaming agent in soft drink, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, and feeding-stuff industries. The foaming activity of Yucca extract is due to the very high saponin content (about 10% of dried material) (Oleszek et al., 2001a). Y. schidigera is one of known as convallamarogenin. Miyakoshi et al.. 2001b. being sarsapogenin the 25S isomer and smilagenin its 25R epimer. In the case of trisaccharide chains. 1996.. prompted us to carry out a program aimed to evaluate for yucca phenolics some of the activities exerted by resveratrol (Olas et al.. Jeandet et al.. we can find only one hydroxyl group at C-3. In the last 15 years this compound has received a lot of attention because of its biological activities. resveratrol is responsible for the reduced risk of cardiovascular disease associated with a moderate consumption of red wine (Siemann and Creasy.. characterized by a b-OH group at position C-1 was also reported (Miyakoshi et al. schidigera are markogenin which differs from sarsapogenin only for the occurrence of a further b-hydroxy group at C-2 and its C-25 epimer samogenin.. named yuccaols A–E and yuccaone A (Oleszek et al. 1995). antiinflammatory (Tsai et al. 1976) and in some medicinal plants (Jayatilake et al. schidigera saponin mixture contain predominantly spirostanol saponins but also furostanol saponins.26-dihydroxy-5b-furost-20(22)en-12-one and (25R)-5b-furostan-3b. These effects have been historically attributed to the saponin constituents but investigations performed on rat metabolism to determine if the biological effects of yucca were due exclusively to its saponin fraction or also to non-saponin compounds.26-triol (Figure 2). Balog et al. 1999)... There are also aglycones characterized by a double bond between C-25 and C-27. Sugar chains of Y. The multifunctional activities of resveratrol together with the novelty of yuccaols A–E (Oleszek et al. 2000). 1987) and health of livestock (Anthony et al. in particular as a feed additive to reduce ammonia and fecal odors in animal excreta (Cheeke.. 1995.. The main application of yucca products is in animal nutrition. which make up 6–7% of the total saponin mixture (Oleszek et al. 1987. indicated that the active constituents are present in both fractions (Duffy et al. Taking into account these results we have undertaken a systematic investigation of the phenolic fraction of yucca which led to the isolation of resveratrol. a further hydroxyl group at C-2 or a keto group at C-12. A further aglycone. 2002.22a. 2001).. Orsini et al. 1996). 1999). Also in this case.. Our study aimed to isolate and characterize the main saponins of yucca trunk showed that Y. Dietary supplementation with yucca products is reported to produce positive effects on the growth rates (Mader and Brumm. feed efficiency (Mader and Brumm. The furostane aglycones of Y. 1994.. Generally the separation of a mixture of C-25 epimeric saponins into each C-25 epimer is very difficult. 1999) and cancer preventing (Jang et al. 1997... 1993. Pendurthi et al.3¢. compound 24. Only in one case. In particular. 2002. as antimutagenic (Uenobe et al. 2000. 2000). Chemistry of yucca saponins Yucca saponins are steroidal saponins possessing spirostanol (Figure 1) and furostanol (Figure 2) aglycones (Tanaka et al. mulberries and peanuts (Langcake and Price. at position 3 of the first sugar we can find xylose or glucose (Figure 3). Surh et al. 2001a). Piacente et al. thus structures are often elucidated as C-25 epimeric mixtures. structurally related to resveratrol. 2004). the other one being Quillaia saponaria (Cheeke.. The main spirostanol aglycones are smilagenin and sarsapogenin which are characterized by a cis junction between ring A and B and a b-OH group at position 3 which is the glycosidation site. 2003. 2001a). 1994. 2004. They have glucose or galactose linked to the aglycone and this first sugar links at position 2 another glucose. 1992. Piacente et al. Gloriogenin and its 25S epimer characterized by a keto group at C-12 are also present. 2004). Oleszek et al. Other aglycones occurring in Y. antiviral (Docherty et al. 2000). there is galactose linked at position 2 of the first sugar glucose. schidigera saponins contain two or three sugars. 2004). 1994).178 the two major commercial sources of saponins.. Kimura et al. These two aglycones differ only for stereochemistry at C-25.5¢-tetrahydroxy-4¢-methoxystilbene. Anthony et al... trans-3. 1993. .. The results obtained show that new opportunities could be explored which could increase the commercial value of yucca.. it is believed that because of its antioxidant properties. Resveratrol is the natural phytoalexin found in considerable amounts in the skin of grapes (Calderon et al. 2001b. the spirobiflavonoid larixinol along with novel phenolic derivatives with very unusual spirostructures. 1997). Marzocco et al. 2003. Czeczot et al. 1999).. 1997). schidigera saponins isolated until now are (25R)-3b.5... Cline et al.. Piacente et al. schidigera saponins. Spirostane aglycones of Y.179 Figure 1. . These studies have shown that the extract has many benefits on growth and performance of livestock (Mader and Brumm. film-forming yeasts (Debaryomyces hansenii.. schidigera extract has become commercially available.180 Figure 2. schidigera. schidigera logs exhibited potent growth-inhibitory activity with MIC ranging from 31. The main use of Yucca extract is in animal nutrition to reduce ammonia concentration and fecal odors (Cheeke. while saponins with 2b-OH or 12-keto groups showed very weak or no activity. Colina et al. Since Y. It is known that the deterioration of cooked foods is mainly caused by infections with yeasts. a number of investigations into its effects on a wide range of animals have been carried out (Hussain et al. Duffy et al.. lowering blood urea and ammonia .. Effects of Yucca extracts on nitrogen metabolism include reduction in serum urea and ammonia. Furostane saponins of Y.. Yucca extract components may alter kidney function increasing the rate of urea clearance.. and fermented seasonings. Cline et al. Hansenula anomala. 2001. 1994. 1994. Some structure– activity relationships were deduced. beans. Balog et al.. Anthony et al. dermatophytic yeasts (Candida famata. Killeen et al. Biological activities of Yucca products A study of Japanese researchers showed that a saponin fraction of Y. 1996) in particular it reduces gastrointestinal and fecal ammonia levels (Cheeke. Saponins having a trisaccharide chain without any oxygen functionalities at C-2 and/or C-12 of the aglycone exhibited potent activity. Pichia carsonii). 2000). Hristov et al. Kaya et al. 2000). processed fish meat. Flaoyen et al. 1996.3 to 125 lg/ml against certain food-deteriorating yeasts (Candida albicans). and against brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (Miyakoshi et al. 2001. 1998a.. Low activity was observed for saponins with a disaccharide chain and no activity was observed for the aglycones obtained after acid hydrolysis. Thus the extract of yucca and its saponin fraction are now on sale in Japan as an anti-deteriorating agent for extending the shelf-life of food products containing cooked rice.. 1999. 2003). 1987. pickled vegetables. Zygosaccharomyces rouxii). 2000). 2002.... Pichia nakazawae. schidigera.181 Figure 3. Saponins of Y. . 1998b). Those protozoal diseases in which part of the life cycle occurs in the gastrointestinal tract would be expected to be responsive to antiprotozoal activity of saponins (Cheeke. food or from contaminated surroundings. excretory. 2001). schidigera extract was thought to be a potent in vitro inhibitor of the enzyme urease (Asplund. 1994. A butanol extract of Y.. lamblia. 1994) and livestock (O’Handley et al. caused by the protozoan Giardia lamblia. 1991) and its in vivo properties were attributed to inhibition of gastrointestinal urease (Anthony et al. 1994. livestock. Giardia-mediated diarrhea and malabsorption reduce growth rate.. 2001). but reduced the excretion of cysts (McAllister et al. there is great interest in identifying chemicals able to control G.. Giardiosis is contracted when infective cysts are ingested with waters. Thus reduction of ruminal ammonia has been attributed to the antiprotozoal activity exerted by saponins (Wallace et al.. Killeen et al. The trophozoites excysts within the duodenum multiply and cause histological and enzymatic changes in the small intestine (Buret et al. 1991). The major source of ruminal ammonia is proteolysis of bacterial proteins due to ingestion of ruminal bacteria by protozoa (Wallace et al. schidigera products remains unclear and the compounds responsible for the biological activity have not been conclusively identified. 1995. Saponins have antiprotozoal activity due to their ability to complex with cholesterol of protozoal cell membranes causing cell lysis and death.. and its negative impact on livestock production. 1990). 1998). 1994. showed that both fractions displayed effects. Thus the assumption of Yucca extract can result in an improvement of milk production and conception rates (Hussain and Cheeke. schidigera have been historically attributed to its saponin constituents but experiments performed on rat metabolism to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with the butanol extractable fraction (saponin fraction) and non-butanol extractable fraction (non-saponin fraction) of Y. These changes in intestinal morphology and function have been related to diarrhea and malabsorption in humans (Farthing. schidigera powder resulted to be effective for killing G. 2000). 1994) but further studies have questioned this hypothesis (Killeen et al. inhibition of selected gut microorganisms (Hussain and Cheeke. Oral administration of butanol extract to gerbils reduced but did not eliminate trophozoite populations in the small intestine. 1999). Cheeke. Cheeke.182 concentrations (Wallace et al. 1995). 1995. 1994. Y. Despite the data on the positive effects of dietary supplementation with yucca.. Hristov et al.. Because of the suspected zoonotic potential of G. the mechanism of action of Y. Milk production and conception rates of dairy cattle can be adversely affected by high blood urea levels. lamblia tropozoites in vitro... schidigera extract on a number of serum. 1994).. G. 1998b). other sterols and bile acids. several mechanisms have been proposed but none has been conclusively proven. It is generally believed that the principal action of saponins on blood cholesterol is by sequestration of cholesterol and bile acids in the intestine. Reduction in serum urea concentration in cattle may have some practical implications... feed efficiency and the profitability of livestock production (Olson et al. Firstly. preventing their absorption. Another possibility could be that increased rate of exfoliation of intestinal cells caused by the membranolytic action of saponins could result in an increased loss of cell membrane cholesterol contained in the exfoliated cells . 1999). 1997) and is widely recognized as a principal cause of waterborne disease in North America and Europe. schidigera extract. lamblia.. 1979). Saponins seem to be involved in the reduction of ruminal ammonia when Yucca extract is administered to ruminants. Antiprotozoal activity against ruminal protozoa raises the question of whether saponins would be effective against protozoal diseases that afflict humans. direct binding to ammonia (Headon et al. indicating that the active constituents are present in both fractions (Duffy et al. The effects of Y. An example is the disease giardiasis. 2000). Other proposed mechanisms of action include modulation of microbial populations in vivo (Peestok. In livestock. Makkar et al.. and hepatic variables with particular regard to measurements relating to nitrogen metabolism. also known as Giardia duodenalis. lamblia is one of the most common intestinal pathogens of humans (Adam.. Balog et al. Including yucca powder in diets for gerbils or lambs did not affect the course of experimentally induced giardiosis. 2000). 1991) and livestock (Olson et al. Saponins form insoluble complexes with cholesterol.. 1994. in particular rumen protozoa (Wallace et al. Regarding the mode of action of Y. and poultry. .5. as an antioxidant in food stuffs. Chemistry of yucca phenolics The effects of Y.2¢-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS+) as compared to a standard amount of the synthetic antioxidant Trolox (6-hydroxy2. Cholesterol lowering properties of saponins in humans are of obvious interest. Being Y. a water soluble vitamin E analogue.5.5¢-tetrahydroxy-4¢-methoxystilbene was more active than resveratrol..5. D. 1999). schidigera and Quillaia saponaria saponins in human blood has been performed. 2004) and yuccaone A were isolated (Piacente et al. we have performed an investigation aimed to define the phenolic profile of Y. schidigera bark. The different stereochemistry of yuccaols at C-3 is in good agreement with the involvement of the C-3 carbocationic intermediate in the proposed biogenetic pathway (Figure 5). Re et al. schidigera.4¢. The phenolic extract showed the highest activity. schidigera products seem to be due not only to their saponin content but also to other constituents.. 1986).. Yuccaols A–E are characterized by unusual spiro structures made up of a C15 unit. structurally related to resveratrol. Biological activities of yucca phenolics The multifunctional activities of resveratrol together with the novelty of yuccaols A–E. which was also higher than that of quercetin. which possess as stilbenic portion. 2001b. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by radical scavenging activity in the Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) assay and in the coupled oxidation of b-carotene and linoleic acid (Piacente et al. Yuccaone A is a novel phenolic constituent based on a spirobenzopyran-4-cyclopentan-3-one system. intermediate in the oxidative flavanone–flavanol conversion and subsequent rearrangement of the intermediate.-trihydroxystilbene well known as resveratrol. a study to evaluate the hypocholesterolemic properties of a preparation based on Y. It is noteworthy that phenolics occur in the external part of the trunk. 2002) (Figure 4). The activity of the tested samples was expressed as TEAC values. yuccaols A–E represent the unique example in nature of spirostructures including C15 and C14 units condensed to form a c-lactone ring. for the stereochemistry at C-3. To our knowledge.183 (Cheeke.5. the reference antioxidant compound. The results of this study show that this preparation reduced significantly total cholesterol and LDL levels in blood plasma of hypercholesterolemic patients without significant changes in HDL levels (Kim et al. which already possesses GRAS label. 2004). along with larixinol.3¢. Trans-3. this was in good agreement with the higher activity exhibited by yuccaols C–E. They differ for the stilbenic portion which is resveratrol in yuccaols A and B and trans-3. Investigation of the phenolic fraction of Y. Considering that. saponaria the worldwide two major commercial sources of saponins. schidigera along with Q. 2003)....8-tetramethylcroman-2-carboxylic acid).7. the novel yuccaols A–E (Oleszek et al.3¢. All the tested samples exhibited good free radical scavenging activity (Table 1). 1999) measures the relative ability of antioxidant substances to scavenge the radical cation 2. schidigera bark was assayed also with a view to the potential use of Y. a spirobiflavonoid previously isolated from Larix gmelini which is made up of two C15 units of flavonoid origin (Shen et al. schidigera bark resulted in the isolation of the stilbenic derivatives trans-3. E. Piacente et al. for the stilbenic position involved in the linkage with the C15 unit which is position 2 of the dioxygenated ring in yuccaols A– D and position 2 of the trioxygenated ring in yuccaol E.3¢.5¢-tetrahydroxy-4¢-methoxystilbene in yuccaols C. The TEAC assay (Pietta et al. not inside.. probably derived from a flavonoid skeleton. TEAC value is defined as the concentration of standard Trolox with the same antioxidant capacity as a 1 mM concentration of the antioxidant investigated sample. They probably derive from the attachment of the stilbenic derivative to the carbocationic . prompted us to carry out a program aimed to evaluate for yucca phenolics some of the activities exerted by resveratrol. Furthermore.5¢-tetrahydroxy4¢-methoxystilbene and trans-3. its phenolic fraction and the single phenolic constituents of Y. and a stilbenic portion linked via a c-lactone ring. First of all the antioxidant activity of the MeOH extract.5. 1998. 1994).3¢.6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenol (BHT) (at t=120 min). Igile et al. schidigera. exhibited significant activity in this test.5.5¢-tetrahydroxy-4¢-methoxystilbene.. all the yuccaols showed activity higher than that of the standard phenolic antioxidant 2. In particular. trans-3.3¢. Phenolics of Y. employing bleaching of b-carotene as a model system are reported in Table 1. that are susceptible to oxidative processes.5. its phenolic fraction and the isolated compounds on the autooxidation of linoleic acid was also determined. Membrane lipids are rich in unsaturated fatty acids. 1992. Many in vitro studies have shown that resveratrol possesses antiplatelet activity which comprises the decreased reactivity and function of platelets and the diminished platelet activation . except trans-3. linoleic acid being especially the target of lipid peroxidation (Pratt. The data show that all the tested samples. schidigera bark. The values of antioxidant activity (AA) measured at t=60 and 120 min. The antioxidative effect of the MeOH extract of Y.184 Figure 4.5¢-tetrahydroxy-4¢-methoxystilbene. . Biogenetic pathway hypothesized for yuccaols A–E.185 Figure 5. Phenolics of Y. The comparison of the inhibitory effects of tested compounds in thrombin-induced platelet aggregation revealed that phenolics showed even stronger antiplatelet activity than resveratrol. and yuccaols A and C on oxidative stress in resting blood platelets and blood platelets activated by different agonists (thrombin or thrombin receptor activating peptide.2 1.4 24. 2003).04 0. (2004).896 2.600 ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± 0.4 74.5¢-tetrahydroxy-4¢-methoxystilbene.3 40.3¢.5¢-tetrahydroxy4¢-methoxystilbene showed the highest ability.4-methoxyphenol. and myocardial infarction (Kroll and Schafer.trans-3. They also inhibited the generation of free radicals in blood platelets activated by thrombin (p<0. yuccaols A and C on platelet aggregation induced by thrombin and ADP have been evaluated (Olas et al. Olas et al.13 0. also higher than that of resveratrol.5¢-tetrahydroxy-4¢-methoxystilbene Yuccaol A Yuccaol B Yuccaol C Yuccaol D Yuccaol E Yuccaone A Larixinol Quercetin BHTc a b c t=120 min 55.186 Table 1.5.3¢. strokes.598 1.301 1. 1995.3¢.093 1.5¢-tetrahydroxy4¢-methoxystilbene. 2.422 1.5. in particular trans-3.3¢..5.3 59. Blood platelets also participate in tumor progression.6-di-tert-butyl. tested at a concentration range of 1–25 lg/ml. Phenolics. Antioxidant activities of MeOH extract.852 1.037 1.9 3.1 71.788 2.2 79.252 0. 1999).9 2.05) or thrombin receptor activating peptide (p<0. phenolic fraction and single phenolic constituents in the TEAC and autooxidation assays. reduce the deleterious effects of oxidative . 2001). the effects of trans-3.08 0.5 66.02 34. allergic inflammation.3 43.7 45.01 0.02 0. These compounds also had an inhibitory effect on the thrombin-induced enzymatic platelet lipid peroxidation determined as the level of thiobarbituric acid active substances.6 24.1 72.7 66. Pretreatment of platelets with resveratrol or other tested phenolics (1–25 lg/ml) slightly reduced platelet aggregation stimulated by 5 lM ADP or 10 lM ADP.01 0. n = 3.. TRAP) have been evaluated (Olas et al. Thus this compound may be a promising candidate for future evaluations of its pharmacological activity associated with antiplatelet action. and non-allergic responses (Blockmans et al. to inhibit the production of O2) and chemiluminescence.3¢. induced by agonists (Zbikowska et al.05). schidigera bark. the comparative effects of resveratrol.4 51.8 For protocols used.4 71.5.3 26. see Piacente et al.1 52. Trans-3.787 3. BHT. Levy-Toledano. 2002).5¢-tetrahydroxy-4¢-methoxystilbene.960 1.12 0.a TEAC assay (mM) ± SDb) Autooxidation assay t=60 min MeOH extract Phenolic fraction Resveratrol Trans-3. Comparative studies using in vitro tests showed that all the phenolics from Yucca bark exerted an antioxidant effect on different ROS produced in resting blood platelets and blood platelets activated by thrombin or TRAP.9 72..6 76.09 0.02 0. On the basis of these reports.7 45.04 0. On the basis of these results. including artherosclerosis. LevyToledano. standard control substance.. 1995. Kroll and Schafer.01 0. This compound showed also a stronger antiplatelet action than resveratrol. reduced to different degrees the level of reactive oxygen species measured by the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence and changed the production of O2) measured by the reduction of cytochrome c in resting blood platelets. 1995.. Blood platelet activation plays a crucial role in hemostasis and pathomechanisms of several arterial disorders. 1999). 1999.0 61.5. A1 cells with LPS resulted in a Figure 6.. Resveratrol was found strongly to inhibit nitrogen oxide generation in activated macrophages and to reduce the expression of the inducible isoform of nitrogen oxide synthase (iNOS) (Tsai et al. The above results show the potential use of Y. As shown in Figure 6 yuccaol C. 2004). 1997). may exhibit stronger protective activity against oxidative stress in blood platelet in vivo (Olas et al. food and feeding-stuff industries (Wallace et al. 2003). 1999). Effect of yuccaol C (0. 1997). incubating macrophages with different concentrations of yuccaols A–C 1 h before stimulation with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (Marzocco et al. A significant and concentration-related inhibition of iNOS expression could be observed (Figure 7). schidigera products possess GRAS label which allows application of its extract and powder in pharmaceutical.. 1994. Figure 7..A1 macrophages. To determine if the inhibitory effect of yuccaol C was related to a modulation of iNOS induction.01–10 lM) on NO release by LPS-stimulated J774.187 stress on blood platelets and. . schidigera as a source of antioxidant principles.01–10 lM) on LPS-induced iNOS expression in J774. 1996). This is interesting if we consider that Y. inhibited significantly and in a doserelated manner NO release.A1 macrophages. To examine whether yuccaol C selectively inhibited activation of NF-jB... no significant activity was observed for yuccaol B. Concentration-dependent effect of yuccaol C (0. yuccaol A had a significant effect on NO release only at the highest concentration of 100 lM. Representative blot of iNOS expression. NO produced by iNOS is a key mediator in inflammatory processes and its production is a crucial step in both the immunoresponsive cells activation and in the mechanism of NO-mediated cytotoxicity (Nathan. added 1 h before LPS induction. Thus the effects of yuccaols A–C on NO production have been examined. Deletion and mutational analyses have demonstrated that the transcription factor NF-jB is involved in the activation of iNOS by LPS (Ruetten and Thiemermann. with other antioxidant in diet. iNOS expression by Western blot analysis was evaluated. analysis of NF-jB binding activity by gel mobility shift assay was performed. Tanaka et al. cosmetic. Under control conditions activation of J774. Alltech Technical Publications. 60: 357–362. Giardia: From Molecules to Disease. KY. 1): 189. In particular. More recently our investigations aimed to identify other metabolites eventually co-responsible for the biological activities of yucca products. . 9: 143. schidigera in folk medicine. and disaccharidase activity. (1996) Effect of feeding Micro-Aid on stillbirths. Miller PS & Fischer RL (2001) Dietary manipulation to reduce aerial ammonia concentrations in nursery pig facilities. Acta Polon. Duffy CF. Walker RD. schidigera trunk: saponins and phenolics. Buret A. Skrzycki M. Poult. Flaoyen A. Cheng KJ.188 time-dependent increase in NF-jB expression which peaked between 1 and 2 h and approached baseline values after 24 h. 15–37). Killeen GF. As a consequence of such efforts. intestinal morphology. J. schidigera. Sci. J. Parasitol. Res. 76: 403–409. Cline JL. Biological activities of Y. Balog JM. In: Lyons TP (eds). Van Herk FH. Food Chem. 2. ascites scores and body and organ weights. Munoz R. 1999). Colina JJ. Blockmans D. Cheeke PR (2000) Actual and potential applications of Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria saponins in human and animal nutrition. 43: 145–155.1–100 lM) added to cells 1 h before LPS challenge (Marzocco et al. Wall CV. 79: 3096–3103. Sci. Anthony NB. preweaning mortality. Giardia: From Molecules to Disease (pp. Anim. blood oxygen values of piglets and blood urea nitrogen in sows. OR. The induction of specific NF-jB binding activity by LPS was reduced significantly by yuccaol C (0. Antiviral Res. Pokabla CM & De Lucia AL (1999) Resveratrol inhibition of herpes simplex virus replication. led to the isolation of very unusual stilbenic derivatives occurring only in this plant. Deckmyn H & Vermylen J (1995) Platelet activation. 124: 455–463. Wilkins AL & Sandvik M (2002) Ruminal metabolism in sheep of saponins from Yucca schidigera. Calderon AA. Reynoldson JA & Lymbery AJ (eds). platelet activation inhibiting-. Zapata JM. Proceedings of the Phytochemical Society of Europe 45: 241–254. 73: 810–816. Balog JM. 2004). McAllistar TA. Veter. thus more attention has been given to the isolation and structure elucidation of this class of compounds. Blood variables. 1): 113. 69:((Suppl. Walker RD & Huff WE (1994) Effect of urease inhibitor and ceiling fans on ascites in broilers. New Phytol. Farthing MJG (1994): Giardiasis as a disease. Cheeke PR (1998) Saponins: Surprising benefits of desert plants.. Buggle KA. Pedreno MA & Ros Barcelo A (1993) Resveratrol production as a part of the hypertensive-like response of grapevine cells to an elicitor from Trichoderma viride. Limperos RJ. Environmental variability and incidence of ascites. In: Thompson RCA. In: The Linus Pauling Institute Newsletter (pp. schidigera indicate that even extensively studied plants may be the source of exciting and unexpected discoveries. Connolly CA & Power RF (2001) Effects of dietary supplementation with Yucca schidigera Roezl ex Ortgies and its saponin and non-saponin fractions on rat metabolism. The results obtained show that new opportunities could be explored which could increase the commercial value of yucca. 74(Suppl. In particular. Newbold CJ & Cheeke PR (1999) Effect of Yucca schidigera Conclusions This review gives an account on the chemistry and biological activities of Y. 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