Saponins as cytotoxic agents: a review

Abstract

Saponins are natural glycosides which possess a wide range of pharmacological properties including cytotoxic activity. In this review, the recent studies (2005–2009) concerning the cytotoxic activity of saponins have been summarized. The correlations between the structure and the cytotoxicity of both steroid and triterpenoid saponins have been described as well as the most common mechanisms of action.

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“…Saponins are a diverse group of secondary metabolites characterized by a structure containing a triterpene or steroid aglycone called sapogenin and one or more sugar chains (Güçlü-Üstündağ and Mazza, 2007;Podolak et al, 2010), which have already been identified in more than 100 plant families. The consumption of saponin-containing plant foods may be associated with beneficial and adverse effects.…”

“…All legumes have triterpene-type saponins (Muzquiz et al, 2012). In fact, while triterpenoid saponins are mainly found in Magnoliopsida (former dicotyledons), steroidal saponins are more abundant in Liliopsida (former Gry et al (2006), Hylands and Mansour (1982), Hylands and Salama (1976), Oobayashi et al (1992), Pohlmann (1975 monocotyledons) (Güçlü-Üstündağ and Mazza, 2007;Podolak et al, 2010). The structural complexity of these compounds results in a wide range of biological properties (Güçlü-Üstündağ and Mazza, 2007) among which in vitro haemolytic activity has been one of the most investigated ones.…”

“…The structural complexity of these compounds results in a wide range of biological properties (Güçlü-Üstündağ and Mazza, 2007) among which in vitro haemolytic activity has been one of the most investigated ones. This activity is mainly attributed to their ability to interact with membrane cholesterol that leads to membrane destabilization (Podolak et al, 2010). According to Oda et al (2000), the haemolytic effect of saponins can be related to the presence of an acyl residue or oxide-ring moiety.…”

“…According to Oda et al (2000), the haemolytic effect of saponins can be related to the presence of an acyl residue or oxide-ring moiety. However, both aglycone and sugar chain play an important role for cytotoxic activity (Podolak et al, 2010). As presented in Table 7, the steroidal saponins dioscin and gracillin (Fig.…”

Unraveling the response of plant cells to cytotoxic saponins

“…9 Most of them are currently investigated for their antitumor activity. 10,11 Extensive studies on the relationship between saponin structure and activity, described and summarized in a recent review, 10 confirm that the biological activity of saponins is influenced both by the aglycone and the sugar mojeties in the molecule. The cytotoxic action of saponins is likely to result from their ability to form complexes with the cell membrane cholesterol, leading to pore formation and cell permeabilization.…”