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The saponins are a subclass of terpenoids, the largest class of plant extracts. The amphipathic nature of saponins gives them activity as surfactants with potential ability to interact with cell membrane components, such as cholesterol and phospholipids, possibly making saponins useful for development of cosmetics and drugs. [7]
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Many biological compounds are amphiphilic: phospholipids, cholesterol, glycolipids, fatty acids, bile acids, saponins, local anaesthetics, etc. [citation needed] Soap is a common household amphiphilic surfactant compound. Soap mixed with water (polar, hydrophilic) is useful for cleaning oils and fats (non-polar, lipophilic) from kitchenware ...
Triterpenoid saponins are triterpenes which belong to the saponin group of compounds, making them triterpenoid glycosides. They are produced by plants as part of their self-defense mechanism [ 7 ] with important sub-classes including ginsenosides [ 8 ] and eleutherosides .
Exposing in vitro cultures of ginseng cells to the plant defense signal methyl jasmonate causes increased production of ginsenosides. [10] Ginsenosides have been found to have both antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Ginsenoside molecules are naturally bitter-tasting and discourage insects and other animals from consuming the plant. [9]
Sarsasapogenin is a steroidal sapogenin, that is the aglycosidic portion of a plant saponin. It is named after sarsaparilla (Smilax sp.), [2] a family of climbing plants found in subtropical regions. It was one of the first sapogenins to be identified, [2] and the first spirostan steroid to be identified as such. [3]
Sapogenins are aglycones (non-saccharide moieties) of saponins, a large family of natural products. Sapogenins contain steroid or other triterpene frameworks as their key organic feature. For example, steroidal sapogenins such as tiggenin , neogitogenin , and tokorogenin have been isolated from the tubers of Chlorophytum arundinaceum . [ 2 ]
Saponin glycosides are found in liquorice. Their medicinal value is due to their expectorant , corticoid and anti-inflammatory effects. Steroid saponins are important starting material for the production of semi-synthetic glucocorticoids and other steroid hormones such as progesterone ; for example in Dioscorea wild yam the sapogenin diosgenin ...