1. Saponin Glycosides
- "Sapo" is Latin name for soap (soap-like)
-Group of organic compounds that form persistent froth when shaken with water even in dilute solution.
-Saponins cause haemolysis of red blood cells.

2. Properties: - Soluble in water, alcohol and mixture of them.
Form persistent froth with water.
- Used as detergent (surfactant) and emulsifying agents.
- Aglycones are called Sapogenin (acid hydrolysis).
- Cause haemolysis of RBC’s if reach the blood (injection).
- Only small part absorbed when taken orally.
- Enhance the absorption of other drugs.
- Form precipitate with Ba(OH)2-

3. Classification of saponins:
According to the nature of the aglycone saponins are classified into Steroidal and Triterpenoidal saponins.
According to sugar: monodesmoside (one sugar chain), Bidesmoside (two sugar chains)
cholesterol with 5,6-double bond

4. Steroidal Sapogenins -Less distributed in nature compared to triterp.
saponins (found in Monocots, Dioscoraceace& Liliaceae).
- They are C-27 sterol with modified side chain .
- They have spiroketal at C-22, sugars at C-3±C-26
- Used mainly as precursors for the partial synthesis of sex hormones and corticosteroids.
- Drugs containing Steroidal saponins such as:
Dioscorea tubers Dioscin
Sarsaparilla Roots Sarsaponin
Dioscorea tubers
(Yam)

5. Examples of steroidal sapogenins
Spiroketal
microbes -
Examples of steroidal sapogenins

6. Sarsapogenin is obtained by hydrolysis of saponins of Sarsaparilla roots (Smilax sp, Liliaceae). The drug is used for manufacture of non-alcoholic drink and stimulant (aglycones not hemolytic).
Diosgenin is obtained by hydrolysis and fermentation of Dioscorea tubers (Yam, Dioscoraceae) and used for synthesis of sex hormones & steroids using appropriate
microbes.

7. Triterpenoidal Saponins
- Very common in Dicot plants
- Contain 30 carbon atoms
- Ginseng: ginsenosides, panaxosides,….
- Horse chestnut seed: aescin
- Liquorice root: glycyrrhizin
- Senega: senegins

8. Nature: They are C-30 compounds but they have a typical Steroidal skeleton.
Sources:
a) Panax ginseng (Korean ginseng)
b) Panax quinquefolium (American ginseng).
c) Elutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng)

9. Uses og Ginseng:
1) It has an adaptogenic (anti-stress, anti-fatigue) effect.
2) It improves both physical and mental performance, including learning, memory and physical capabilities.
3) It improves the immune function and metabolism.
4) Improve liver function
5) Stabilize blood glucose and blood pressure.
-Korean Ginseng is superior to other types (steaming gives red variety)
-Siberian (Russian) not proved, contain lignans

10. Pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins
-They are C-30 compounds.
-Much more distributed in nature.
-Have pentacyclic skeleton with 8 methyl groups.

11. 1- Horse Chestnut
Source: Seeds of Aesculus hippocastanum (Hippocastanaceae)
Contain mixture of triterpenoidal saponin mixture called “Aescins”
It is used as:
Anti-inflammatory for bruises, arthritis…..
Peripheral vascular disorders such as Varicose veins (venous insufficiency) and Hemorrhoids.

12. 2- Liquorice Source: Glycyrrhiza glabra roots and underground stems.
Constituents: 10% triterpenoidal saponins (sweet) “Glycyrrhizin”.K &Ca salts of glycyrrhizic acid with 2 molecules of D-glucuronic acid, flavonoids, bitter sub.
Hydrolysis produce glycyrrhetic
acid
-Glycyrrhizic acid (neutral form)
(1,2 linkage)

13. Uses of liquorice: Side effects:
1) Flavoring agent, sweetener in Pharmaceutical preparation.
2) Demulcent and expectorant.
3) Treatment of peptic ulcer, and gastritis
4) Treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis and Inflammatory conditions as it has cortisone like action, even hemorrhoids.
5) Treatment of liver diseases and hepatoprotective, antiviral.
6) Crude herb is a harmonizer in Chinese Herbal Medicine (CTM)
Side effects:
Salt and water retention, elevation of blood pressure in susceptible persons

14. 3- Senega Source: Senega roots (Polygala senega, Polygalaceae).
Constituents: Triterpenoidal saponins “Senegin II”.

15. Senegins Uses: Stimulant expectorant in chronic bronchitis. sugars
Aglycone (sapogenin) contain two carboxyl and one double bond at C-12
Uses:
Stimulant expectorant in chronic bronchitis.