Saponins in Calendula officinalis L. – Structure, Biosynthesis, Transport and Biological Activity

Abstract

Trends in research on Calendula officinalis L. saponins performed in Department of Plant Biochemistry at Warsaw University are reviewed. Calendula officinalis, a well known medicinal plant, contains significant amounts of oleanane saponins, which form two distinct series of related compounds, called ''glucosides'' and ''glucuronides'' according to the structure of the respective precursor. Both series differ in the pathway of their biosynthesis and further metabolism, i.e. the rate of formation and stages of possible degradation; distribution in the single cell and in the whole plant, including accumulation sites; and the possible physiological role played in the plant according to appropriate biological activities.

Effect of methyl jasmonate and silver nanoparticles on production of secondary metabolites by <i>Calendula officinalis</i> L (Asteraceae)

“…The anticancer, antibacterial, fungicidal, and antioxidant activities of C. officinalis L have been frequently attributed to saponins and carotenoids produced by the plant [3,20,22]. Our results suggest that treatment of the marigold plant with SNPs and MeJA can be a good strategy for increasing its medicinal properties.…”

“…The elicitor function of SNPs through increased ROS formation and membrane lipid peroxidation has also been reported in certain fresh water microalgae [15]. Previous studies have also shown that C. officinalis L extract can effectively scavenge DPPH stable free radicals, superoxide, and hydroxyl radicals, as well as inhibit tissue lipid peroxidation in vitro, in a concentrationdependent manner [1,3]. However, our data demonstrates that this capacity decreased after treatment with different concentrations of SNP and MeJA, which was consistent with other reports [14].…”

“…The antibiotic activity of oleanolic acid and its derivatives against Escherichia coli was recently reported. Moreover, the wormicidal activity of oleanolic acid glycosides against the parasitic nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus was published [3].…”

“…These compounds have a diverse range of properties, including sweetness and bitterness, foaming, emulsification, pharmacological and medicinal properties, hemolytic properties, as well as anti-microbial, insecticidal, and molluscicidal activities [3]. One efficient way to increase the production of these products in the plant is treatment with chemical elicitors such as methyl jasmonate (MeJA).…”

Candidate metabolites for methane mitigation in the forage legume biserrula

“…In plants, specifically, they exist in the epicuticular waxes as a first defense barrier against pathogens (Heinzen et al 1996) and may function as defense compounds against pathogens or as allelopathic agents (Szakiel et al 2005). This suggests a potentially crucial role for these components as key biomolecular components to be added to future vaccines against high methanogenesis in the rumen, possibly through their antibacterial (Pollier and Goossens 2012) or anti-proliferative (Neto 2007) activity.…”