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*****ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY*****
Khodakov GV  Akimov YA  Shashkov AS  Kintia PK  Grishkovets VI  
Triterpene and steroid saponins isolated from two Melilotus species.
In: Adv Exp Med Biol (1996) 405:211-22
ISSN: 0065-2598

Four new triterpene saponins of the oleanan series-melilotosides I, II, III, IV
and nonglycosylated soyasapogenol B have been isolated from roots of Melilotus
albus Medik. (Leguminosae) and four steroid saponins were isolated from M.
tauricus (Bieb.) ser. seeds. The chemical structure of the saponins and of their
aglycone was proved based on chemical transformations and spectral data. 

Melilotoside I has the structure of 3-O-[a-L-arabinopyranosyl] soyasapogenol B, 

melilotoside II that of 3-O-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-alpha-
L-arabinopyranosyl] soyasapogenol B, 

melilotoside III that of 3-O-
[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O -
alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl] soyasapogenol B, and 

melilotoside IV that of
3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1- ->3)]-
O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl soyasapogenol B. 

The steroid saponins have been identified as 

3-O- beta-D-glucopyranoside-diosgenin (V); 

3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1--
>2)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->3)-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside- diosgenin (VI),

26-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (25R)-furost-5-ene 3beta,22alpha, 26-triol (VII), 

and 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->4)- alpha-O-beta-D-
glucopyranoside(25R)-furost-5-ene 3beta,22alpha,26- triol-26-O-beta-D-
glucopyranoside (VIII).

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*****MINERVA CARDIOANGIOLOGICA*****
Vettorello G  Cerreta G  Derwish A  Cataldi A  Schettino A   Occhionorelli S 
Donini I  
[Contribution of a combination of alpha and beta benzopyrones, flavonoids and
natural terpenes in the treatment of lymphedema of the lower limbs at the 2d
stage of the surgical classification]
Contributo di un'associazione di alpha e beta benzopironi, flavonoidi e terpeni
di derivazione naturale, nel trattamento del linfedema degli arti inferiori al
II stadio della classificazione operativa.
In: Minerva Cardioangiol (1996 Sep) 44(9):447-55
ISSN: 0026-4725  (Published in Italian)

HYPOTHESIS: To create a phlebolymphologic therapy in order: to activate venous
system; to activate lymphatic system; to activate macrophagic system; to reduce
the proteic lymphatic load. 
EXPERIMENTAL: A study was performed on the use of an ideal phlebolymphological
association (Tonka Beans, Gingko Biloba, Melilotus Officinalis) as a practical
standpoint in the treatment of lymphedema of lower limbs in order to create an
efficacious dose of Coumarin, Benzopyrones and Ginkolidi. CLINICAL: We
investigated a population of 76 patients treated in an open-label study for six-
eight months with a dosage of Coumarin 60 mg/daily + Gingko Biloba 40 mg/daily +
Melilotus 40 mg/daily. 
CONCLUSION: This trilogy induced a very significant improvement in lymphedema
(centimeter-aspect) both in functional symptoms (pain heaviness in affected
limbs) and physical signs (edema, episodes of infection). Tolerance of long term
treatment was good and the improvement was observed from the third month of
treatment.

Registry Numbers:
91-64-5 (coumarin)

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*****NIPPON YAKURIGAKU ZASSHI.  FOLIA PHARMACOLOGICA JAPONICA*****
Nishikawa M  Yamashita A  Ando K  Mitsuhiro S  
[The suppressive effect of melilotus extract on the thermal edema of rats]
In: Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi (1983 Mar) 81(3):193-209
ISSN: 0015-5691  (Published in Japanese)

The effect of melilotus extract (ME) and Esberiven (ES) which contain coumarin
on the thermal edema, which is one of high protein edema, was evaluated by both
quantitative and qualitative assays. The intraperitoneal injection of ME
immediately after burn greatly reduced the amount of swelling and effectively
inhibited the occurrence of necrosis and induration in the injured leg-skin as
compared with the saline controls in which a 3rd degree of thermal injury was
observed. Administration of ES also induced a similar suppressive effect.
Furthermore, either intraperitoneal or subcutaneous local injection of ME 4 hr
before burn was effective in reducing the edema and thermal injury. No increase
of the lymph flow and output of lymphocytes and protein from the thoracic duct
lymph was observed in thermally injured rats given an injection of ME. The
massive infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages 6 to 24 hr after the
subcutaneous injection of ME was histologically observed in the dermal lesion of
normal rats. Twenty-four hr later, macrophages, fibroblasts, and lymphocytes
became predominant. The present data taken together suggest that ME exerts the
suppressive effect on thermal injury by either prior or post administration, and
these effects might be induced in an indirect manner, through the action of
phagocytic cells accumulated in the injured lesion, not via lymphatic drainages
of excess fluid and protein.

Registry Numbers:
153-18-4 (Rutin)
8003-26-7 (melilot)

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