Effects of Fagonia cretica L. Constituents on Various Endocrinological Parameters in Rabbits

The effects of powdered Fagonia cretica plant and its two major triterpenoid saponins (saponin-I and saponin-II) on various blood endocrinological parameters. Prolactin namely, serum prolactin, serum thyrotropin, serum thyroxine and serum cortisol of normal male rabbits were investigated. Two major triterpenoid compounds, saponin-I and saponin-II, were isolated from its ethanolic extract by repeated chromatography on silica gel, sephadex LH-20 and on biogel P-2. These compounds were identified after comparing their values of H NMR and C NMR chemical shifts with previously reported values of similar compounds. Radio-immunological assay was used for the estimation of blood hormones of crude drug and saponin-treated animals using radioactive I. The radioactivity of the standard and the unknown specimen in each case was then measured on NE-1612 gamma scintillation counter for 90 seconds. Both the saponins in 30 mg doses had significant decrease in prolactin and in the serum TSH levels as compared with crude drug treatment and control groups. The thyroxine level was also significantly reduced by saponin-II in a 30 mg dose while the crude drug and saponin-I had non-significant effects on thyroxine after 16 days. A significant increase in serum cortisol occurred with the crude drug in a 1g dose and with both saponins in 30 mg roses. Maximum increase in the serum cortisol occurred with saponin-II after 16 days.