[Characteristics of membrane activity of triterpene glycosides]

The membrane activity of 6 triterpenic glycosides was studied with respect to ionic permeability of the liposomes and flat bilayer lipid membranes. It was shown that the rate of the glycoside effect depended on both the sterol level in the membrane and the sterol type (cholesterol, ergosterol). The activity of cauloside C, a plant glycoside markedly depended on pH of the medium. The carbohydrate chain played an important role in the membrane activity of the glycosides. Correlation in the effect of triterpenic glycosides on the model lipid and cell membranes was noted.