Ophiopogonin D

Ophiopogonin D is a steroidal saponin isolated primarily from the rhizome of Ophiopogon japonicus (commonly known as “Mai Dong”). It belongs to the class of “ophiopogins” that are studied for their potential cardioprotective, anti‑inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, making it a focus of nutraceutical and pharmacological research.

• Ophiopogonin D is a steroidal saponin (C₄₈H₈O₁₈) with a molecular weight of 938.11 g/mol.
• Its IUPAC name is (2S,3R,5S,6R,9R,10R,13R,14S,15S,16R,17R)-2‑(β‑D‑glucopyranosyl)-3‑[2‑(β‑D‑glucopyranosyl)-3‑hydroxyl-1‑O‑β‑D‑glucopyranosyl‑4‑oxooctanoyl]‑... (full systematic name is extensive; the molecule is a triterpene backbone linked to two glucose moieties at C‑3 and C‑28).
• Key structural features include a diosgenin‑type aglycone with a C‑21‑O‑β‑D‑glucose and C‑3‑O‑β‑D‑glucose glycosidic linkages, conferring amphiphilic properties.
• The compound is soluble in methanol, ethanol, and water (moderate polarity) and exhibits a melting point of 215–218 °C (decomposes).
• Its UV absorbance peaks at 210 nm and 240 nm.
• The presence of the C‑22‑C‑23 double bond and C‑3 hydroxyl are critical for biological activity, while the sugar moieties affect bio‑availability and membrane interaction.

• Ophiopogonin D is most commonly extracted from the rhizomes of Ophiopogon japonicus (Mai Dong), cultivated in China, Japan, and Korea.
• Commercial extraction uses ethanol or methanol‑water (70:30) reflux, followed by liquid‑liquid partition and C₁₈ reverse‑phase chromatography to isolate the pure saponin.
• Some manufacturers employ supercritical CO₂ extraction to preserve thermolabile constituents.
• Synthetic routes are rare due to the molecule’s complexity, but semi-synthetic modification of diosgenin is being explored for scale-up.
• Quality considerations include verification of purity (>95 % by HPLC), absence of heavy metals, pesticide residues, and microbial contamination.
• Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified producers often standardize extracts to a defined Ophiopogonin D content (e.g., 0.3 % w/w) and provide certificate of analysis (CoA).
• When selecting a supplement, prioritize products with third‑party testing (e.g., USP, NSF) and transparent sourcing documentation.