Effect of а Purified Saponins’ Mixture from Astragalus glycyphylloides, Administered Alone, on Isolated Rat Brain Synaptosomes and Hepatocytes

Abstract

Purified saponins’ mixture (PSM), obtained from Astragalus glycyphylloides (family Fabaceae) was examined for possible toxic effects on isolated rat brain synaptosomes and hepatocytes when administered alone. Synaptosomes and hepatocytes were incubated with PSM at three different concentrations: 60 μg/ml; 6 μg/ml; 0.6 μg/ml. The effects of PSM were compared to those of silymarin, in the same concentrations. The main parameters, characterizing functional and metabolic status of synaptosomes and hepatocytes were investigated: viability (by Trypan blue – for hepatocytes and MTT-test – for synaptosomes), lactate dehydrogenase activity (LDH), level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and production of malondialdehyde (MDA). It was found that administered alone the PSM did not reveal any statistically significant toxic effects on both isolated rat brain synaptosomes and hepatocytes, compared to silymarin.