SAPONIN GLYCOSIDES

• Saponins are glycoside compounds often referred

  to as a ‘natural detergent’ because of their foamy

  texture.
• They get their name from the soap wort plant (Saponaria)
• Upon hydrolysis they yield an Aglycone : Sapogenin
• Sapotoxin : most poisonous saponins
• Identification test: Froth test
• The so called neutral saponins are derivatives of steroids with spiroketal side chains: the acid

  saponins possess triterpenoid structures.
• A.Glycyrrhiza

  Aka spanish licorice/ liquorice

  ● it is the dried rhizome and roots of Glycyrrhizaglabra

  ● The plant contains a saponin like glycoside: Glycyrrhizin

  ● Increases fluid and sodium retention and promotes potassium depletion
• Glycyrrhiza uses:

  • Flavoring agent 50x sweeter than sucrose - used to mask the taste of bitter drugs such as aloe, ammonium chloride, quinine and others.

  ● Adds foaminess to beer imparts bitter taste to rootbeer

  glycyrrhetic acid)

  ● Surfactant property of the saponins may also facilitate

  absorption of poorly absorbed drugs, such as anthraquinone

  glycosides.

  ● Considered to possess demulcent and expectorant

  properties.

  ● Anti inflammatory applied in dermatologic products

  ● Treatment of peptic ulcer and Addison's
• B. Ginseng

  ● Asian Ginseng - Panax ginseng

  ● American Ginseng - Panax quinquefolius

  ● Ginsenosides , Panaxosides , Chikusetsaponins

  ● Uses:

  ○ Tonic

  ○ Stimulant

  ○ Adaptogenic - antistress
• C. Dioscorea

  ● Yam is a popular name for several of the edible

  ● Mexican yam - Dioscorea floribunda

  ● most abundant source

  ● Const: Diosgenin , Sapogenin , Hecogenin , and

  Botogenin

  ○ Primary raw material in the

  synthesis of glucocorticoids

  ○ Anti inflammatory agent