ANTITUMOR ACTIVITY OF SESBANIA VESICARIA, S PUNICEA, AND S DRUMMONDII SEED EXTRACTS

Screening ethanolic seed extracts for antitumor activity revealed that S. vesicaria, S. punicea and S. drummondii were active against lymphocytic leukemia P-388 (PS) in vivo. Approximately a 100-fold enrichment was achieved of the active principle(s) of S. vesicaria. The ethanolic extract contained sucrose, raffinose, stachyose, several triterpene saponins, sterol glycosides and substantial amounts of phospholipids. Acid hydrolysis of a saponin concentrate revealed oleanolic acid and an unidentified isomer of hederagenin, possibly queretaroic acid. The major sterols were stigmasterol and .beta.-sitosterol. Antitumor activity of S. vesicaria was associated with a minor, as yet unidentified constituent. The isolated saponins were relatively non-toxic and inactive.