Effect of saponin from Cestrum nocturnum on erythrocytes

Saponin from Cestrum nocturnum was isolated, were tested for their purity. Human red blood corpuscles and Winster rat erythrocytes in a phosphate buffered saline was used for calculating the hemolytic effect. Spectroscopic method was used for estimating the haemolysis caused by different concentration of the saponin. Phospholipids, cholesterol and sialic acid were estimated from the haemolysed solution along with lipid peroxidation index and glutathion concentration. The haemolysed solution shows structural component of membrane and the oxidative damage cause increased lipid peroxidation with decrease level of glutathion. Haemolysis caused in present study may be due to the presence of functional hydroxyl group in the saponin of Cestrum nocturnum.. Further study on these saponin may lead to the discovery of novel medicine. Experiments are in progress to investigate effect of isolated purified saponin on various biological systems.