Food components saponins

In addition to fish oil, nutrigenomic studies have identified other possible modulators of TNF-a production and/or release in vitro. Kang et al. reported that soybean saponins suppressed the release of TNF-a by LPS-stimulated murine peritoneal macrophages.100 Horrigan et al. demonstrated that concentrations of caffeine that were relevant to human consumption consistently suppressed the production of TNF-a in human blood.101 Clearly, more studies that address the anti-inflammatory effects of food components in studies involving humans are warranted. 

Observations of lower rates of certain chronic diseases in several Asian countries compared to the United States served as the impetus for studies that were conducted to identify the factors that were accountable (Tham et al., 1998). Consumption of soy is one factor that correlated with these lower rates. From this information, much research focused on soy protein and accompanying bioactive compounds with regard to elucidating mechanisms associated with risk markers for chronic disease, particularly CVD. The combination of macro- (protein, fiber, fat) and micro-components (isoflavones, saponins, tocopherols) as part of many traditional soy foods may underlie the epidemiological observations associated with soy intake. A body of cell culture and animal data shows potential health effects of a multitude of bioactive components in soy (i.e., saponins, phenolic acids, peptides). However, studies determining the independent effects of saponins, phenolic acids, and protease inhibitors in humans are yet to be conducted. 

Hendrick, S. et al.. Are saponins and/or other soybean components responsible for hypocholesterolemic effects of soybean foods Presented at Third International Symposium on the Role of Soy in Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease, Washington, DC, October 31-November 3,1999. 

Cereal foods are important components of the daily diet, providing carbohydrates, proteins, dietary fibre and vitamins. Cereals are also sources of many phytochemicals, including phytoestrogens, phenolic compounds, saponins, phytic acid and sterols. 

There is no clear effect of Isofl on CCa in men, even though some data would advocate for a protecting role in women. However, soy may be protective through other soy components like saponin, sapogenin, or Bowman-Birk inhibitor [252, 253]. These compounds only have limited blood availability. However, they are in contact with gut cells at a significant rate. Marketing Isofl in food supplements for the prevention of CCa does not rely on consistent scientific data. 

It was only within the last few years that saponins were rediscovered and their presence was noted in a new category of functional foods consisting of nutraceuticals with health benefits. In many plants seeds the major components are hydrocolloids such as fenugreek gum, locust bean gum (LBG), and guar gum with considerably high concentrations of saponins. It is therefore a trend in some labs to search for new saponin-rich plants from which the saponins can be extracted [87]. 

---