A mechanism for the hypocholesterolaemic activity of saponins

Abstract

1. Saponins are steroid or triterpene glycosides which occur in a number of important food plants, including such staples as soya beans (Glycine max) and chickpeas (Cicer arietinurn). They are known to be hypocholesterolaemic.2. Some saponins form an insoluble complex with cholesterol which prevents its absorption from the small intestine. Others cause an increase in the faecal excretion of bile acids, an indirect route for elimination of cholesterol.3. We have investigated the effects of different saponins on absorption of the bile salt sodium cholate from perfused loops of small intestine, in vivo, in the rat. Purified saponins from soapwort (Suponaria Officinalis), soya beans and quillaia (Quillata suponaria) reduced the rate of absorption of the bile salt; soya-bean and soapwort saponins substantially so but quillaia saponin to a much lesser extent.4. These results were explained by the formation of large mixed micelles by bile acid and saponin molecules in aqueous solution. These aggregates can have molecular weights in excess of 106 daltons, consequently the bile acid molecules incorporated in them are not available for absorption.5. Control of plasma cholesterol and nutrient absorption through dietary saponins could provide substantial health and nutritional benefits in humans.

Effect of dietary saponins from Quillaja saponaria L. on fatty acid composition and cholesterol content in muscle Longissimus dorsi of lambs

“…It has been reported that saponins when supplemented in diets reduce cholesterol content in blood and tissues in monogastric mammals, such as rats, gerbils and humans (Sidhu and Oakenfull, 1986;Potter et al, 1993;Harris et al, 1997). This cholesterol-reducing effect is attributed to saponins ability to form insoluble complexes (micelles) with sterols (Sidhu and Oakenfull, 1986), such as cholesterol and bile acids.…”

“…It has been reported that saponins when supplemented in diets reduce cholesterol content in blood and tissues in monogastric mammals, such as rats, gerbils and humans (Sidhu and Oakenfull, 1986;Potter et al, 1993;Harris et al, 1997). This cholesterol-reducing effect is attributed to saponins ability to form insoluble complexes (micelles) with sterols (Sidhu and Oakenfull, 1986), such as cholesterol and bile acids. Several feedstuff used for livestock feeding, such as Yucca schidigera (Singer et al, 2008;Holtshausen et al, 2009), Quillaja saponaria (Holtshausen et al, 2009), Medicago sativa (Klita et al, 1996) and Sapindus saponaria (Abreu et al, 2004) contain saponins and are used in -E-mail: vvasta@unict.it animal nutrition with the purpose of inhibiting methanogenesis in the rumen (Patra and Saxena, 2010).…”

“…Effect of saponins on muscle cholesterol composition A large number of studies have shown an hypocholesterolemic effect of saponins in mammals (Sidhu and Oakenfull, 1986). However, so far, there is no information on the effects of saponins on cholesterol metabolism in ruminants.…”

“…However, so far, there is no information on the effects of saponins on cholesterol metabolism in ruminants. There are two school of thoughts emerging for the hypocholesterolemic effect of saponins: (i) a direct binding between saponins and dietary cholesterol in the gut, which prevents its absorption from the small intestine and (ii) a binding between saponins and bile acids in the gut, which decreases the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids and increases cholesterol excretion with feces (Sidhu and Oakenfull, 1986). These hypotheses were formulated through studies with monogastric animals.…”

Soğuk Stresine Maruz Bırakılan Japon Bıldırcınlarında Diyete İlave Edilen Çöven Ekstraktının Yumurtlama Performansı, Kan Biyokimyasal Parametreleri, Göğüs Eti Yağ Asidi Profili İle Karaciğer ve Kalp Dokusu Antioksidatif Potansiyeli Üzerine Etkisi

“…Recent years, the saponins containing plants and their effects on human and animal health are one of the most studied area. Several pharmacological properties are attributed to saponins such as immunological adjuvant [5] , anticarcinogenic [6] , hypocholesterolaemic [7] , antifungal [8] , anti-inflammatory and antioxidant [9,10] . Additionally, they are supplemented to poultry diets for decreasing the excrete amonium [11] .…”