Structure-activity relationships of saponins enhancing the cytotoxicity of ribosome-inactivating proteins type I (RIP-I)

The investigations suggest that ideal saponins consist of an oleanane-type scaffold, preferably gypsogenin or quillaic acid, three branched sugars at the C-3-OH-group including glucuronic acid, galactose, xylose and four branched sugars at the C-28-OH-group, including deoxy-sugars and acetyl-residues.