HEMOLYSIS OR ERYTHROCYTOLYSIS 197 



Saponin Group. Another quite distinct group of vege- 

 table hemolyzing agents consists of the " saponin substances" l 

 These are a closely related group of glucosidex, found in at least 

 46 different families of plants, and they are strong protoplasmic 

 as well as heraolytic poisons. They differ altogether from the 

 true toxins, being heat resistant, having no resemblance to pro- 

 teids, and not giving rise to antibodies on immunization of 

 animals. 2 The degree of their toxicity is not directly proportional 

 to their hemolytic activity ; they seem to injure chiefly the nerve- 

 cells. Apparently hemolysis is brought about by action upon the 

 lipoids of the red corpuscles, for addition of cholesterin to saponin 

 prevents its hemolytic effect ; 3 lecithin does not have the same 

 property. 4 Both cholesterin and lecithin combine with saponin, 

 the cholesterin compound being quite inert, whereas the lecithin 

 compound is both hemolytic and toxic. Cholesterin is also 

 soluble in sapotoxin. Normal serum seems to contain an anti- 

 hem oly sin for saponin, and therefore hemoglobin uria is not 

 produced by all saponins on intravenous injection. Careful 

 immunization leads to a slight increase in this antihemolytic 

 action of the serum, possibly due to an increased formation of 

 cholesterin (Kobert). 



A study of the toxicity of the members of this group by 

 Kobert 5 shows that in general they have similar properties, but 

 that minor differences exist between them. All cause hemoly- 

 sis, some in dilution as great as 1 : 100,000. Some produce 

 hemoglobinuria when injected intravenously, others do not. 

 All paralyze the heart, but the injuries to the central nervous 

 system are the chief cause of death. Marked local changes are 

 produced at the site of injection, but the leucocytes are appar- 

 ently not injured, although sterile suppuration is produced. 

 There is a period of latency after intravenous injection of small 

 doses twenty-four hours or more before the appearance of 

 symptoms. 



SAPOTOXIN is one of the most actively toxic and hemolytic 

 products of quillaja. 



1 Complete literature on saponin given by Kobert, " Die Saponinsubstanzen, " 

 Stuttgart, 1904 ; also Kunkel, " Handbuch der Toxokologie," Jena, 1904. 



2 Saponins are characterized by their ready solubility in water and the 

 foaming, soapy character possessed by the solution ; hence their technical appli- 

 cations as soap bark, etc. Heated with dilute acids they split off sugar ; also 

 when acted on by glucoside-splitting enzymes (from spiders), according to 

 Kobert. Saponin from Quillaja (soap-bark) has the formula C^H^O^ (Stiitz). 

 Most are colloids, but some crystallize. 



3 Ransom, Dent. med. Woch., 1901 (27), 194; Madsen and Noguchi, Cent, 

 f. Bakt, 1905 (37), 367. 



* Noguchi, Univ. of Penn. Med. Bull., 1902 (15), 327. 

 5 Arch. exp. Path. u. Pharm., 1887 (23), 233. 



