SAPONINS

INTRODUCTION
 Saponins, glycosides widely distributed in the plant
kingdom,include a diverse group of compounds characterized
by their structure containing a steroidal or triterpenoid
aglycone and one or more sugar chains.
 Their structural diversity is reflected in their physicochemical
and biological properties, which are exploited in a number of
traditional (as soaps, fish poison, and molluscicides) and
industrial applications.
 Saponins in foods have traditionally been considered as
“antinutritional factors”and in some cases have limited their
use due to their bitter taste.
STRUCTURE
PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
 The structural complexity of saponins results in a number of
physical, chemical, and biological properties, only a few of
which are common to all members of this diverse group.
 Saponins possess surface-active or detergent properties
because the carbohydrate portion of the molecule is water-
soluble, whereas the sapogenin is fat-soluble. The stability and
strength of forage saponin foams are affected by pH, and this
may have an effect on the development of bloat in ruminants.
Saponins are remarkably stable to heat processing, and their
biological activity is not reduced by normal cooking.
 SOURCES
 Legumes such as soybeans, beans and peas are rich sources of
triterpenoid saponins.
 Steroidal saponins are typically found in members of
the Agavaceae, Alliaceae, Asparagaceae, Dioscoreaceae, Liliaceae, A
maryllidaceae, Bromeliaceae, Palmae and Scrophulariaceae 
families and accumulate in abundance in crop plants such as yams,
alliums, asparagus, fenugreek, yucca and ginseng.
 Diosgenin, the steroidal aglycone obtained by

hydrolysis of dioscin,
a saponin abundant in the
tubers of Dioscorea villosa 
(wild yam), is the precursor
for commercial synthesis of
steroids such as cortisone,
progesterone and pregnenolone.
 EXTRACTION OF SAPONIN

 The first step in the processing of saponins involves their

extraction from the plant matrix. As in any extraction
process, the extraction solvent, extraction conditions (such
as temperature, time, pH, solvent to feed ratio), and the
properties of the feed material (such as composition and
particle size) are the main factors that determine process
efficiency and the properties of the end product.
 If a purified product is desired, the efficiency of the
purification steps needs to be considered while optimizing
extraction parameters.
 DIGESTION & ABSORPTION

 Saponins are poorly absorbed and have a long residence time in the
intestinal tract.
 Saponins inhibit digestive enzymes and interfere the absorption of
cholesterol.
 Sapogenins, mainly produced by microbiota, have higher bioactivity
than saponins.
 HEALTH BENEFITS
 Plant-based foods are rich in phytochemicals that cannot be found in meat
and dairy.
 These plant steroids have the ability to foam when mixed with water and
boast various health benefits. They exhibit anti-inflammatory and
immune-boosting properties as well as antibacterial effects. Their name
comes from the Latin word "sapo," which means soap.
 These chemicals may help reduce cholesterol levels, kill disease-causing
bacteria, scavenge oxidative stress and inhibit tumor growth. According to
the latest research,
they improve lipid
metabolism and may
help prevent and treat
obesity.
 ANTI HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC
ACTIVITY
 Hypercholesterolemia is a dominant risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular
diseases.
 High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol accumulate in the
extracellular sub endothelial space of arteries; these are highly atherogenic and toxic to
vascular cells, leading to atherosclerosis, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and
functional depression in organs such as the liver, heart, and kidneys. Clinical trials
have shown that lowering lipids reduces the morbidity and mortality associated with
cardiovascular complications. Intensive reduction of LDL-cholesterol levels have also
been found to reverse atherosclerosis and decrease the progression of cardiovascular
disease.
 Saponins bind with cholesterol. Cholesterol is continually secreted into the intestine
via the bile, with much of it subsequently reabsorbed.
Saponins cause a depletion of body
cholesterol by preventing its re-absorption, thus
increasing its excretion in much the same way
as other cholesterol-lowering drugs do.
 ANTIVIRAL ACTIVITY
 Triterpenoid saponins are naturally occurring sugar
conjugates of triterpenes possessing various biological
activities, including antiviral action. Two substances isolated
from natural sources were tested against herpes simplex virus
type 1 replication. They did not show evidence of
cytotoxicity under antiviral test conditions.
 The triterpenoid saponin, isolated from a Brazilian plant
(s21), represents the oleanane group and inhibited herpes
simplex virus type 1 DNA synthesis. The triterpenoid
saponin, isolated from a Chinese plant (s17), represents the
ursane group and seemed to inhibit viral capsid protein
synthesis of herpes simplex virus type 1.
 ANTI DIABETIC ACTIVITY
 Saponin is the most important secondary metabolite and bioactive
composition of marine invertebrates sea cucumber, which has been
proven to display numerous biological activities.
 In a study by EL barky they reported that saponin which has been
extracted from the Egyptian Holothuriathomasi, sea cucumber was
dissolved in distilled water and administrated orally at 7:30 a.m. daily
with a dose of 300 mg/ kg B.wt. after 35 days of STZ-induced
diabetic female albino Wistar rats (3–4 months old and average body
weight 180–220 g) and lasted for six weeks.
 Saponin of Holothuriathomasi

may be effective in controlling

the glycemic state as illustrated
by diminished blood
glucose level and
increased serum insulin level.
 ACTION ON BLOOD PRESSURE
 The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is a key regulator of
blood pressure (BP) and body fluid volume, acting primarily via the
effects of angiotensin II (Ang II).
 The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of
saponin on a hypertensive target organ in spontaneously hypertensive
rats SHRs and also to explore the effects of saponin on the RAAS.
 In the present study, the development of albuminuria was prevented in
the SHRs treated with saponin, but was not prevented in the placebo-
treated controls. As albuminuria is considered a biomarker for the risk
of renal decline these findings are relevant to the overall results. The
anti-albuminuric effect of saponin was attributable to its anti-
hypertensive effect.
 In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated that saponin reduces
systemic BP and blocks the circulating and tissue RAAS in SHRs.
 The administration of saponin was suspected to have a renoprotective
effect via the inhibition of the intrarenal RAAS.
 ACTION ON CNS
 Saponins diverse biological activities are ascribed to their
different structures.
 Accumulated evidence suggests that saponins have significant
neuroprotective effects on attenuation of central nervous
system disorders, such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease,
Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease.
 However, our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the
observed effects remains incomplete. Based on recently
reported data from basic and clinical studies, the proposed
mechanisms of neuroprotective function includes antioxidant,
modulation of neurotransmitters, anti-apoptosis, anti-
inflammation, attenuating Ca(2+) influx, modulating
neurotrophic factors, inhibiting tau phosphorylation, and
regeneration of neural networks.
 TOXIC EFFECTS
 There is some variation in the toxicity of saponins from
different sources. Most toxicity tests have been with single
doses administered orally or by intravenous injection. The
lethal oral dose is 3–1000 times as great as the lethal
intravenous dose. The majority of saponins are powerful
haemolytics in vitro but large doses are needed to produce
haemolysis on intravenous injection.
 Several authors have studied the effect of saponins on growth
but no references have been found to experimental work on
the chronic effects of those saponins likely to be consumed by
man in the diet.
 However, a guide to the safety of some saponins is provided
by experience based on common use as food additives or
natural components of foods.
 APPLICATIONS
 Application of Saponins in Medicines: Triterpene saponins are
found in a variety of higher plants and display a wide range of
pharmacological activities, including expectorant, anti-
inflamatory, vasoprotective, gastroprotective and antimicrobial
properties. Recently, a potential anticancer activity of saponins
has been suggested by their cytotoxic, cytostatic, pro-apoptotic
and anti-invasive effects (Koczurkiewicz et al., 2015).
 Particularly important area of research on this topic concerns
identification of the impact of
structural modifications of
saponins on their antitumor
activity (Mu et al., 2013).
 Application of Saponins in Foods: Saponins are compounds that come
primarily from plants and are found in a variety of vegetables, beans, and
herbs. However, food and non-food sources of saponins have come into
renewed focus in recent years due to increasing evidence of their health
benefits such as cholesterol lowering and anticancer properties (Gurfinkel
and Rao, 2003).
 Clinical studies have suggested that these health-promoting components,
saponins, affect the immune system in ways that help to protect the human
body against cancers, and also lower cholesterol levels. Saponins decrease
blood lipids, lower cancer risks, and lower blood glucose response (Shi et
al., 2004).
 Dietary saponins, either isolated or as saponin-containing food plants, lower
plasma cholesterol levels in several mammalian species. They are therefore
probably important in human diets to reduce the risk of coronary heart
disease (Oakenfull, 1981).
 REFERENCES
 Yücekutlu, A. N. (2000). Isolation of a Saponin from Çöven (Gysophila simonii hub.mor.) Roots, Master of Science
Thesis, Gazi University, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Science.
 Yücekutlu, A.N., Özbey S.and Bildacı, I.,(2012).Gypsophila simonii: Identification, Extraction, Isolation of Sapogenin
and X-Ray Crystallographic Structure of Sucrose, Hacettepe J.Biol. & Chem., 40(1), 53–59.
 Yücekutlu, A. N., Bildacı, I. (2008). Determination of Plant Saponins and Some of Gypsophila Species: A review of the
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 Mu L.H., Huang X.W., Guo D.H., Dong X.Z., Liu P. (2013). A new triterpenoid saponin from Ardisia gigantifolia. J
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 Shi J., Arunasalam K., Yeung D., Kakuda Y., Mittal G. and Jiang Y. (2004). Saponins from Edible Legumes: Chemistry,
Processing, and Health Benefits,” Journal of Medicinal Food, Vol. 7, No. 1, pp 67-78.
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 Okawa, M., Yamaguchi, R.R., et. al. (2002). Five Triterpene Glycosides from Oxytropis myripylla. Chem. Pham. Bull.
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 Brown GM., Levy HA. (1973). Further refinement of the structure of sucrose based on neutron-diffracti
 Kodavanti UP, Schladweiler MC, Ledbetter AD, et al. The spontaneously hypertensive rat as a model of human
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 THANK YOU!!

 NAME: JANHAVI D GAIKWAD

 ROLL NO: 16

 CLASS: MSc NFP SEM III

 SUBJECT: FUNCTIONAL FOODS & NEUTRACEUTICALS

 LECTURER: KARNIKA PRAKASH