Immunoadjuvant Activity, Toxicity Assays, and Determination by UPLC/Q-TOF-MS of Triterpenic Saponins from Chenopodium quinoa Seeds

Abstract

The adjuvant activity of Chenopodium quinoa (quinoa) saponins on the humoral and cellular immune responses of mice subcutaneously immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) was evaluated. Two quinoa saponin fractions were obtained, FQ70 and FQ90, and 10 saponins were determined by UPLC/Q-TOF-MS. Mice were immunized subcutaneously with OVA alone or adjuvanted with Quil A (adjuvant control), FQ70, or FQ90. FQ70 and FQ90 significantly enhanced the amount of anti-OVAspecific antibodies in serum (IgG, IgG1, and IgG2b) in immunized mice. The adjuvant effect of FQ70 was significantly greater than that of FQ90. However, delayed type hypersensitivity responses were higher in mice immunized with OVA adjuvanted with FQ90 than mice treated with FQ70. Concanavalin A (Con A)-, lipopolysaccharide-, and OVA-stimulated splenocyte proliferation were measured, and FQ90 significantly enhanced the Con A-induced splenocyte proliferation. The results suggested that the two quinoa saponin fractions enhanced significantly the production of humoral and cellular immune responses to OVA in mice.

Anti‐Inflammatory Activity of Saponins from Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Seeds in Lipopolysaccharide‐Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages Cells

“…These results indicating nitrite inhibition was not attributable to cytoxicity. Verza and others () reported that no lethality or local toxicity (local swelling, loss of hair, and piloerection) were observed after administration 300 μg of quinoa saponin to mice.…”

An Insight into Saponins from Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd): A Review

“…Additionally, Verza et al (2012) identified 10 triterpenoid saponins in C. quinoa after UPLC/Q-TOF-MS analysis. Among the identified saponins, three were found to be derived from phytolaccagenic acids, two from serjanic acid, two from oleanolic acid, and two from hederagenin, in addition to an undetermined compound [46].…”

Extraction approaches used for the determination of biologically active compounds (cyclitols, polyphenols and saponins) isolated from plant material

“…The whole class of saponins presents an important biological significance. Possessing a wide range of pharmaceutical properties, many recent studies focused onto saponins' ability to increase immune responses , their antibacterial properties , their antioxidant activity as well as on their anticancer, antidiabetic and anti‐obesity properties .…”