Saponins sarsaparilla

These are constituents that form foams when agitated in water-based solutions. They are thought to have antiinflammatory, hemolytic, and expectorant effects. Saponins are found in extracts of yucca, sarsaparilla, alfalfa, fenugreek, licorice, and ginseng. 

With the exception of Avenae sativae herba, Rusci aciileati radix, Sarsaparillae radix (steroid saponins) most saponin drugs contain a complex mixture of monodesmosidic or bidesmosidic triterpene glycosides. 

Fig. 1 This solvent system and the AS reagent are suitable for the separation and the detection of triterpene-saponins, e.g. senegins in Senegae radix (1), as well as steroid (ester) saponins, e.g. Smilax saponins in Sarsaparillae radix (2).

Sarsaparillae radix (2) generates six yellow-brown saponin zones (R, 0.2-0.75) such as sarsapariltoside and parillin. 

The formulas of a typical neutral saponin, sarsasaponin from Radix sarsaparillae 25), and the acid saponin of sugar beets Beta vulgaris), the glucuronide of oleanolic acid 26), are given. 

Sarsaparilla saponins have been reported to facilitate the absorption of other drugs when coadministered with sarsaparilla. 

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