Saponins physiological

In the intestine, saponins bind to mucosal cell membranes and change their physiology. Since the membranes of some cancer cells contain more cholesterol than do normal cells membranes [156], it is possible that saponins bind more to cancer cells and as a result induce their destruction. Since saponins are surface-active compounds that are not absorbed, their possible interaction with intestinal mucosal cell membranes must be emphasized. Because the average transit time of food is 24h, saponins can either in the intact or in the partly hydrolyzed form, remain in the intestine long enough to interact with free sterols and membrane lipids [157]. 

This group involves a considerable number of physiologically active compounds whose activity is largely dependent on the complete stmcture, including the glycosidic moiety. A number of these compounds have detergent properties, e. g., saponins, and such physicochemical properties are partly responsible for their toxicity, e. g. the hemolytic activity of some saponins is caused by the damage of the erythrocyte membrane. 

The rates of biosynthesis and catabolism are reflected in the pool size of the saponins, which is considerable in the whole plant (i.e., nearly 2 g/plant) however, the bulk of the metabolic activity was found in the leaves, particularly the young ones. We believe that the rates of biosynthesis and catabolism vary with respect to physiological states of development, diurnal variation, time of year that the crop is grown, types of soil, fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides and cultivars, as well as the functionally different parts of the plant. Different patterns of saponins may be formed. Saponins undergo biotransformation within the plant as is shown in the section on bioassay in this paper. Biotransformation also occurs in the soil surrounding the plant often these reactions occur at appreciable rates however, little is known about their effect either in the plant or in the soil. 

Total saponin content varies somewhat by soybean cultivar, " but is in the range of 0.25% of the seed dry weight. The physiological function of saponins in soybean seeds is not clear, but saponins and sapogenols purified from soybean seeds... 

Komori, T., M. Kawamura, K. Miyahara, T. Kawasaki, O. Tanaka, and S. Yahara Field Desorption Mass Spectrometry of Physiologically Active Steroid- and dammarane-saponins. Z. Naturforsch. 34c, 1094 (1979). 

Specific Physiological Detection. Both saponins and bitter principles possess physiological activities which can be utilised for their detection [81]. 

These methods of detection do not exploit chemical or physical properties but the biological-physiological activity of substances. They are mostly employed for the detection and determination of antibiotics, alkaloids, insecticides, fungicides, mycotoxins, cytotoxines, vitamins, hot or bitter substances, and saponines. 

Berhow M A, Cantrell CL, Duval SM et al (2002) Analysis ruid quantitative determination of group B saponins in processed soybean products. Phytochem Anal 13 343—348 Broderick GA, Wallace RD, Orskov ER (1991) Control of rate and extent of protein degradation. In Tsuda T, Sesako Y, Kawashima R (eds) Physiological aspects and metabolism in ruminant. 

The physiological role of saponins in plants is not yet fuUy understood nevertheless it is assumed that they represent a part of plants defence systems of protective molecules named phytoprotectants, chemical agents that interacts with a pathogen on the plant surface to prevent infection, either phytoanticipins or phytoalexins (see Section 10.3.3.6). 

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