The amphiphilic nature of saponins and their effects on artificial and biological membranes and potential consequences for red blood and cancer cells

Abstract

Saponins, amphiphiles of natural origin with numerous biological activities, are widely used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. Some saponins exhibit relatively selective cytotoxic effects on cancer cells but the tendency of saponins to induce hemolysis limits their anticancer potential. This review focused on the effects of saponin activity on membranes and consequent implications for red blood and cancer cells. This activity seems to be strongly related to the amphiphilic character of saponins that gives them the ability to self-aggregate and interact with membrane components such as cholesterol and phospholipids. Membrane interactions of saponins with artificial membrane models, red blood and cancer cells are reviewed with respect to their molecular structures. The review considered the mechanisms of these membrane interactions and their consequences including the modulation of membrane dynamics, interaction with membrane rafts, and membrane lysis. We summarized current knowledge concerning the mechanisms involved in the interactions of saponins with membrane lipids and examined the structure activity relationship of saponins regarding hemolysis and cancer cell death. A critical analysis of these findings speculates on their potential to further develop new anticancer compounds.

Recent advances in steroidal saponins biosynthesis and in vitro production

“…Structurally, saponins are amphiphilic molecules that are composed of one or more hydrophilic sugar residues and hydrophobic steroidal or triterpenoidal part on the basis of which they are called as steroidal saponin or triterpenoidal saponins. The non-sugar water-insoluble part is called as sapogenin, and on the basis of sugar present in saponin molecules they can be either monodesmosidic (contains only one sugar residue), bidesmosidic (contains two sugar residues) or polydesmosidic (more than two sugar residues) saponins (Lorent et al 2014). Structural variants of saponin are found in plants due to the presence of different sugar at different position and orientation.…”

“…Structural variants of saponin are found in plants due to the presence of different sugar at different position and orientation. The most common sugars residues that are found in saponins are d-glucose, d-galactose, l-rhamnose, l-arabinose, d-glucuronic acid, d-fucose and d-xylose (Lorent et al 2014).…”

Saponin-based adjuvants induce cross-presentation in dendritic cells by intracellular lipid body formation

“…By purification of the raw plant material, fractions with distinct immunostimulatory properties and safety profiles have been identified1. Although most saponins have strong binding affinity for cholesterol, only some stimulate the immune system2. Forty nanometer cage-like particles called immune stimulatory complexes (ISCOMs) form when immunoactive saponin, cholesterol and phospholipid are brought together and dialysed3.…”

Enhanced immunization via dissolving microneedle array-based delivery system incorporating subunit vaccine and saponin adjuvant

“…Interactions between saponin and cholesterol in the cell membrane, and the resulting membrane damage, may underlie saponin-induced hemolysis and other toxicities. 19 The incorporation of PD into OVA-PD-Lipos may reduce interactions with cholesterol and account for the reduction in toxicity to mouse BMDCs as well as the reduction in hemolytic activity.…”