Extraction Technology and Anti-depression Activity of Saponins from Lilium brownii

OBJECTIVE:To study extraction technology of saponins from Lilium brownii and the anti-depressant activity of the saponins. METHODS:The extraction technology of saponins from L. brownii was optimized by L9(34)orthogonal design with the volume fraction of ethanol,the amount of ethanol,extraction time as factors,using saponins extract rate as index. Kunming mice were divided into normal control group(constant volume of normal saline),fluoxetine group(0.004 g/kg)and L. brownii saponins extract high-dose,medium-dose and low-dose groups(0.1,0.05,0.025 g/kg). The duration of immobility within 4 min were recorded in tail suspended experiment and forced swimming experiment. Body temperature of mice were recorded within 4 h after modeling in reserpine-induced hypothermia test. RESULTS:The optimal extraction technology of L. brownii saponins was as follows:1 time of 70% ethanol,lasting for 3 h. Compared with normal control group,the duration of immobility within 4h in tail suspended experiment and force swimming experiment were decreased in L. brownii saponins extract medium-dose and low-dose groups;there was statistical significance(P0.05);the gap of body temperature of mice was decreased 4 h after modeling;there was statistical significance(P0.05). CONCLUSIONS:L. brownii saponins have certain anti-depressant activity in mice.