Saponin, protective action

Nowadays saponins have been studied because different beneficial properties to health have been described. Saponins possess a broad variety of biological effects analgesic, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, and cytotoxic activity, effect on the absorption of minerals and vitamins and on animal growth, hemolytic and immunosti-mulatory effects, increased permeability of the intestinal mucosa neuro-protective action, and reduction of fat absorption (Gu lii-Ustundag and Mazza, 2007). However, the biological properties of quinoa saponins require further study. 

Zang et al [140] reported the liver protective effects of the saponins isolated from A. membranaceus and A. sieversianus against chemical injury induced by CCU, D-galactosamine and acetaminophen in mice. In all cases there were positive activities and the saponins inhibited the rise in SGPT levels, decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and increased the glutathione reduced (GSH) concentration in mouse liver. The same compounds were also evaluated in cultured rat hepatocytes, and the results indicated that the activity may be due to to the antioxidative activity of the saponins, since the content of liver protein in treated mice was more than the control. Moreover, in all treated mice, the level of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 was increased. The liver metabolism and immunoregulating action produced by saponins may be also involved in their hepato-protective effects. Similar results were obtained by Zhang et al [141] when they studied the activity in vitro and... 

Ginsengoside Rbi (60) is a representative of the saponins derived from 20(5)-protopanaxadiol. It exhibits central nervous system-depressant and antipsychotic activity, protection against stress ulcer, increase of gastrointestinal motility and weak anti-inflammatory action. Rgi (61) -the major saponin of 20(5)-protopanaxatriol - shows weak CNS-stimulant action, antrfatigue activity and blood pressure activity [108,109] (O Scheme 25). 

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