SAPONINS

Introduction to Saponins
Saponins plant constituent which bring about
frothing in an aqueous solution. Historically
used for their detergent properties.

Saponins = glycosides

Saponins have haemolytic properties when
injected into the blood stream are highly toxic
(used as an arrow poisons/racun panah).

When taken orally, saponins are harmless
(berbahaya).

2 Types of saponins are recognized
pentacyclic triterpenoid and steroidal types.
Saponins = Glycosides
Therefore hydrolyzed (by acids) to give an aglycone and
different sugars related to uronic acids.

Aglycone called sapogenin (insoluble in water).

Structure of the sapogenin (aglycone) determines the
type of saponin

(steroidal or tetracyclic triterpenoid and pentacyclic
types).

Both types of glycosides have a glycosidal linkage at C-
3.

Both types of saponins have a common biogenic origin
(mevalonic acid and isoprenoid units)
Pentacyclic Triterpenoid Saponins
Rare in monocotyledons, but abundant in
dicotyledons.

Sapogenin is attached to a chain of sugar
or uronic acid units (or both) often in the
C-3 position.

Steroidal Saponins
Also called tetracyclic
triterpenoids

Found in many
monocotyledons such as
Wild yam (Dioscorea
vilosa).

Saponin Diosgenin.

Also found in
dicotyledons fenugreek.

Strophanthus and
Digitalis contain both
steroidal saponins
(glycosides) and cardiac
glycosides.

Significance of Steroidal Saponins
Generate much interest
due to their relationship
with compounds such as
sex hormones, cortisone,
diuretic steroids, vitamin
D and the cardiac
glycosides.

Some are used as
starting materials for the
synthesis of these
compounds.

Diosgenin is the main
sapogenin used by
industry .

Biogenesis of Steroidal Saponins
Formed via the
mevalonic acid
pathway.

During this pathway,
cholesterol forms part
of numerous
sapogenins (not all).


Natural Steroids for the Production
of Pharmaceuticals
Natural products serve as starting points for the
partial synthesis of commercial products.

E.g. Cortisone synthesized from Hecogenin.
Sex horomones (oral contraceptives)
synthesized from diosgenin.

Diosgenin can also be used to make
corticosteriods.

Dioscorea villosa - Dioscoreaceae
Definition: Wild yam is
the underground roots
and tubers of Dioscorea
villosa.

There is no suggestion
that the plant was used
as a contraceptive in the
past. It has, however
traditionally been used to
treat menstrual, ovarian &
labour pains.

Dioscorea villosa Wild Yam

Constituents
Steroidal saponins
(mainly dioscin)

Phytosterols, alkaloids,
tannins, starch.

Actions:
Anti-spasmodic, anti-
inflammatory, anti-rheumatic,
diaphoretic, diuretic, qi tonic,
expectorant
OTHER USES
In Zulu traditions, wild yam is
used to treat convulsions,
epilepsy and hysteria.

Also used for colic, dry cough,
depression, diarrhoea,
diabetes, emotional weakness,
immune weakness, IBS, leg
pain, low sperm count, lung
weakness, morning sickness,
neuralgia, night sweats, RA,
senility, spermatorrhoea,
threatened miscarriage.

Topically: salve for eczema,
poultice for bruises and
scabies.
Eleutherococcus senticosus -
Aralaiceae
Definition: Siberian
ginseng consists of the
dried roots and rhizomes
of Eleutherococcus
senticosus.

Unlike other medicinal
herbs, this one is better at
maintaining good health
rather than treating
illness.

Siberian Ginseng Eleuthrococcus
Constituents
Triterpenoid saponins
Glycans
Polysaccharides
Coumarins
Lignins

Actions
Adaptogen
Tonic
Immune-modulator
Uses
Insomnia
Stress
Surgery Recovery
Chemotherapy patients
Cardiovascular disease


CONTRA-INDICATIONS
Continuous use
Hypertensive patients
Ginseng Panax ginseng
Definition: Ginseng
consists of the dried
or fresh roots of
Panax ginseng. Also
called Korean or
Asian ginseng.



Panax ginseng Korean Ginseng
Active Constituents
Triterpenoid saponins
(ginsenosides), B vitamins,
selenium, phytosterols,
volatile oils.

Medicinal Actions:
Adaptogenic tonic, anti-
inflammatory, anti-oxidant,
anti-spasmodic,
cardiotonic,
hepatoprotective, immune-
stimulant, nervine
Medicinal Uses
To Improve stamina, reaction
time, decrease high
cholesterol.
Speeds up recovery time after
illness, childbirth and
surgery.
Aids, Alzheimers, anaemia,
appetite loss, chronic
fatigue, depression,
infertility, memory loss,
tacchycardia, PTSS.
Helps soften skin anti-
wrinkle products.

Leaves can be used for fever.

Effects cumulative work
best after a period of use,
but should not for
excessive/continuous use.
Panax ginseng Contra-indications
Should not be used if
pregnant or lactating.
Not to be used in
cases of heat or
inflammation.
Should not be taken if
suffering from flu,
fever, pneumonia,
constipation or
hypertension.

Trigonella foenum-graecum
Fabaceae (Legume Family)
Definition: Fenugreek
consists of the dried
seeds of Trigonella
foenum-graecum.

Fenugreek - Trigonella
Active Constituents
Steroidal saponins
(diosgenin, yamogenin), B
vitamins, alkaloids,
glycosides, flavonoids,
courmarin, mucilage.



NOTE: Should not be
used to treat diabetes
without professional
supervision.
Medicinal Actions
Anti-inflammatory,
carminative, antiseptic,
emollient, expectorant,
hypoglycaemic,
phytoeostrogenic.

Medicinal Uses:
Stabilize blood glucose
levels, anorexia, catarrh,
cough, sore throat.
Topically for boils, burns,
cellulitis, gargle for sore
throats, eyewash for
inflammed eyes and a
facial wash.
Quillaja saponaria Rosaceae
Definition: Quillaia
bark consits of the
dried inner bark of
Quillaja saponaria.

It is also called Soap
bark, Quillaia or
Panama wood.
Quillaia Bark - Constituents
Mixture of saponins
(10%)

On hydrolysis: main
sapogenin quillaic
acid & gypsogenin.

Also consists of
sugars, starch and
calcium oxalates.

Quillaia Bark - Uses
Used as an emulsifying agent.
Glycyrrhiza glabra - Leguminosae
Definition: Liquorice
consists of the dried
unpeeled roots and
stolons of Glycyrrhiza
glabra.

Glycyrrhiza Cultivation &
Collection
Plants grow well in deep
sandy, fertile soil.
The underground parts
are collected in their 3
rd
-
4
th
year.
Dug up & washed.
Some are peeled and cut
shorter before drying;
others are left unpeeled.
Imported in bales, or
made into stick or block
liquorice (decoction).


Glycyrrhiza glabra - Constituents
Glycrrhizin responsible for the sweet taste.

Glycerrhizic acid triterpenoid saponin.

Flavonoids responsible for yellow colour.

Liquiritin a chalcone

Sugars (glucose and sucrose), protein & starch.

Glycyramarin bitter principles (mostly in outer
tissue removed in peeled varieties)
Glycyrrhiza glabra - Adulterants
Glycyrrhiza uralensis

Glycyrrhiza hirsutu

Glycyrrhiza echinata

Glycyrrhiza
macedonia

Glycyrrhiza pallidiflora

Glycyrrhiza glabra
Actions & Uses
Actions
Demulcent
Expectorant
Anti-microbial/anti-viral
Anti-spasmodic
Anti-Ulcerogenic

Uses
Flavouring agent
RA
Addisons disease
Inflammatory conditions
Peptic ulcers




Polygala senega - Polygalaceae
Definition: Senega
consists of the dried
rootstock and root of
Polygala senega.

Polygala senega Constituents
Triterpenoid Saponins
Main saponin senegin
consisting of senegenin
senegenic acid
polygalic acid

Also contains sorbitol (sweet taste), sucrose, fat
and sterols.
Polygala senega - Adulterants
White senega Polygala
alba

Southern senega
Polygala boykini

Pakistan senega Glinus
oppositifolius

Turkey senega
Polygala pruinosa


Polygala senega - Uses
Actions
Stimulant expectorant

Uses
Chronic bronchitis


TRADITIONAL USES
First used by the Native
American Indians as a
remedy for snake-bite. It
was later used by the
English as cure for pleurisy
and pneumonia.

Genitana lutea - Gentianaceae
Definition: Gentian
consists of the dried,
fermented roots and
rhizomes of the
yellow gentian,
Gentiana lutea.

Gentiana
Collection & Preparation
In Autumn the Roots are dug up in plants 2-5 years old.

There is no demand for the unfermented white gentian,
all commercial drugs consist of the fermented red
variety.

Herb is made into heaps, packed on a hillside and
occasionally covered with earth and left there for some
time.

Washed and cut into slices.

Dried: open air and then in sheds.

When prepared this way, the herb becomes much darker
in colour (fermented), loses some of its bitterness and
acquires a distinctive odour.
Gentiana lutea
Allied Drugs
Gentiana purpurea
Gentiana pannonica
Gentiana punctata
Gentiana kurroo
Picrohiza kurroo

Adulterants
Rumex alpinus rhizomes
(give a positive test for
anthraquinones).

Veratrum album

Gentiana lutea - Constituents
Gentiopicroside and
gentiogenin

Also bitter glycosides,
alkaloids, yellow
colouring matter,
sugars, pectin and
fixed oil.
Gentiana lutea - Uses
Actions
Bitter

Uses
Bitter tonic
Liver disorders


Picrasma excelsa - Simaroubaceae
Quassia wood
consists of the stem
wood of Picrasma
excelsa, commercially
known as Jamaica
quassia.

Picrasma excelsa - Constituents
Quassia consits of
Triterpenoid saponin
quassin (bitter
principle)
Neoquassin

USES
Bitter tonic
Insecticide
Enema for thread worms

Saponins: Summary
2 types

Wild Yam,
Fenugreek, Ginseng
& Siberian Ginseng,
Gentian, Liquorice,
Quassia, Quillaia and
Senega

Generally responsible
for an expectorant
action.