What is in therapeutically prescribed herbal medicines? Phytochemical characterisation of steroidal saponins from two popular nutraceuticals, False Unicorn and Tribulus terrestris.

含有甾体皂苷的植物长期以来一直被用作治疗产品，但其有效成分的特征仍然很差。本项目旨在鉴定和结构表征假独角兽和蒺藜这两种目前在澳大利亚销售的流行营养保健品中的甾体皂苷。现有的关于这些皂苷成分的知识令人惊讶地不完整和不准确。完整的结构阐明将有助于开发“标准化”草药皂苷概况，以便更好地控制产品质量，并允许选择草药的替代品，这在该成分已知之前是无法进行的。对澳大利亚蒺藜的植物化学调查将确定这种本地亚种是否适合商业收获。

Plants containing steroidal saponins have long been used as therapeutic products, but their active constituents remain poorly characterized. This project aims to identify and structurally characterize steroidal saponins from False Unicorn and Tribulus terrestris, two popular nutraceuticals which are currently marketed in Australia. Existing knowledge of these saponin constituents is surprisingly incomplete and inaccurate. Full structural elucidation will enable the development of 'standardised' herbal saponin profiles for better control of product quality and will allow alternatives for the herbs to be chosen, which cannot be undertaken until this composition is known. A phytochemical survey of Australian Tribulus terrestris will determine whether this native sub-species is suitable for commercial harvest.