‫المرحلة الثالثة‬

‫المحاضرة الخامسة‬

‫‪Pharmacognosy‬‬
‫الدكتور الصيدالني‬
‫حسين كامل حامد‬
‫ماجستير عقاقير ونباتات طبية‬
❖ Saponins are generally known as non-volatile, surface
active compounds that are widely distributed in
nature, occurring primarily in the plant kingdom. The
name ‘saponin’ is derived from the Latin word sapo,
which means ‘soap’, because saponin molecules form
soap-like foams when shaken with water.
❖They are structurally diverse molecules that are
chemically referred to as triterpene and steroid
glycosides. They consist of non polar aglycones
coupled with one or more sugar moieties . This
combination of polar and non-polar structural
elements in their molecules explains their soap-like
behavior in aqueous solutions, which shows itself as
milk like exudates in some plants.
❖Saponins glycosides have a high molecular weight and
are often occur as complex mixtures with components
differing only slightly from one another in the nature
of the sugars present, or in the structure of the
aglycone. Saponins glycosides are hydrolyzed by acids
to yield free aglycone (sapogenin), and various sugars
and related uronic acids .
❖The saccharide chains commonly contain glucose,
arabinose, rhamnose, xylose and glucuronic acid.
These sugars can be attached as one; two or three
sugar chains and the term monodesmoside,
bidesmoside and tridesmoside have been given to
these saponins, respectively
❖The saccharide chains commonly contain glucose,
arabinose, rhamnose, xylose and glucuronic acid.
These sugars can be attached as one; two or three
sugar chains and the term monodesmoside,
bidesmoside and tridesmoside have been given to
these saponins, respectively .
❖ According to the structure of the aglycone or
sapogenin, two types of saponin are recognized these
are; the steroidal and pentacyclic triterpenoid types
(figure1-4). Both of the two kinds have a glycosidal
linkage at C-3 and a common biogenic origin via
mevalonic and isoprenoid units .
Saponin classification
❖The steroidal saponins are less widely distributed
in nature than the pentacyclic triterpenoids type.
The phytochemical surveys have shown their
presence in many monocotyledonous families
,particularly the Dioscoreaceae,Agavaceae, and
smilaceae. In the dicotyledons, steroidal saponins
occur in leguminosae and solanaceae families (9).
❖ Steroidal saponins are of great importance and
interest, owing to their relationship with such
compound as sex hormones, cortisone, diuretics,
steroids, vitamin D and the cardiac glycoside.
Biosynthesis:
Main pathway that result in both types of
sapogenins was the same & includes head-to-
tail coupled of the acetate units. Triterpenes and
steroids are both built up from six isoprene
units, both are derive from squalene. Saponins
can be biosynthesize by mevalonic acid pathway
Drugs containing saponin glycosides:
1-Sarsapanilla:
Is the dried roots of Smilax aristolochiafolia and
many other species F:Liliaceae
Constituents:
The chief constituents are :
1. sarsapogenin(the sapogenin of sarsaponin).
2. Smilagenin(isosarsapogenin).
3. Sitosterol.
4. Stigmasterol.
 Sarsapogenin

Uses:as a flavoring agent.

2-Glycerrhiza (licorice root):
Is The dried rhizomes and root of Glycyrrhiza
glabra F:Fabaceae.Glycyrrhiza is of Greek origin
and mean sweet root, glabra means smooth.
Constituents:
Contain a saponin like glycoside,glcyrrhzin which
is 50 times as sweet as sugar.Upon hydrlysis the
glycoside losses its sweet taste being converted
to the aglycone glycyrrhetinic acid plus two
molecules of glucoronic acid.In addition it
contains flavanoids glycosid.
glycyrrhizin
Uses:
1. Flavoring agent and sweeter.
2. Expectorant and demulcent.
3. Commercially licorice is added to chewing gums,
chocalate, candy,chewing tobacco.
4. Used for treatment of gastric ulcer.
5. Used for treatment of rheumatic arthritis and
other inflammatory disease because glycyrrhizin
has a cortisone like action.
3-Fenugreek:
Is the dried seeds of Trigonella foenum-gracum
F:Leguminoseae.Fenugreek is a potential source
of diosgenin.India ,Morocco, Egypt are among
the important producers.
Constituent:
The main constituent is the diosgenin. The
diosgenin is increased by fermintation prior to
acid hydrolysis.

Diosgenin
Uses:
1-Used as a spice.
2-Medicinally it have the following activity:
A. Antidiabetic.
B. Anti-inflammatory.
C. Anti cancer.
D. Anti ulcer.
E. Cholesterol lowering agent.
4-Ginseng:
Is the dried root of Panax ginseng
F:Araliaceae.Folk use ginseng root are:
1. Stimulant.
2. Aphrodisiac.
3. Treatment of type II diabetic.
4. Treatment of sexual dysfunction in men.
Constituent:
Panax ginseng contains saponin glycoside
(panaxoside) a triterpenoid steroidal nucleus.

Ginsenoside Rg3
Ginseng root uses:
1-Stimulant. 2-Tonic.3-Anti stress. 4-adaptogenic
agent.
5-Senega(snake root):
Senaga is the dried root of Polygala senega
F:polygonaceae.The root was used in India as a
remedy for snake bites.
Constituent:
As a principle constituent senegin about 4% and
polygalic acid about 5.5%.

Senegenin