Toxic saponins

Sea cucumbers (Holothurioidea) contain highly toxic saponins which presumably play a role in protection since the relatively unprotected bodies of these species make them particularly vulnerable to predation. When "attacked", a sea cucumber expels Cuverian glands whose projections elongate and enmesh an assailant while, at the same time, exuding ichthyotoxic saponins to discourage further attacks. Some 30 species of sea cucumbers contain saponins which are highly toxic to other marine creatures as well as fish. 

Saponins are also highly toxic to cold-blooded organisms (such as insects and hsh). Toxic saponins are often called sapotoxins. Their toxic effect is manifested by haemolysis of erythrocyte cells and damage of intestinal mucosa. The main reason is the interaction of saponins with cholesterol in the cell walls. High doses of toxic saponins may damage the liver, which can lead to respiratory failure. In retrospect, however, only some saponins are really toxic. 

Kelecom, A., Daloze, D., and Tursch, B. (1976a) Chemical studies of marine invertebrates. XXI. Six triterpene genin artifacts from thelothurins A and B, toxic saponins of the sea cucumber Thelenota ananas Jaeger (echinodermata) biosynthesis of the thelothurins. Tetrahedron, 32, 2353-2359. 

Oleszek, W., Junkuszew, M., and Stochmal, A., Determination and toxicity of saponins from Amaranthus emeritus seeds, J. Agric. Food Chem., 47, 3685, 1999. Schliemaim, W. et al., Betalains of Celosia argentea. Phytochemistry, 58, 159, 2001. Stintzing, F.C., Schieber, A., and Carle, R., Amino acid composition and betaxanthin formation in fruits from Opuntia ficus-indica, Planta Med., 65, 632, 1999. 

Guarana contains tetra methylxanthine, a compound almost identical to caffeine and other stimulants such as theophylline (which has been isolated and sold as a drug and which can be toxic when consumed in high doses), theobromine, and saponins. Although not well documented, the side effects of guarana are similar to those of other stimulants. 

Finney4 reported the data of Martin5 involving the toxicity of rotenone to the insect species Macrosiphoniella sanbomi. The rotenone was applied in a medium of 0.5% saponin,... 

Unlike fungal saponinases, little is known about hydrolytic enzymes secreted by phytopathogenic oomycetes or their role in pathogenicity [75, 76]. Although innate resistance is believed to be the main mechanism by which oomycetes avoid the toxicity of saponins (see above), some oomycetes have been found to produce saponin hydrolases [77], as well as other glycosyl hydrolases [76]. 

In the Andes, nearly all of the about 160 varieties of wild potatoes, and two of the eight cultivated species are toxic. Some frost-resistant species that grow above 3600 m have high levels of alkaloids, which are bitter and potentially toxic. These are hybrids between Solanum stenotonum and wild potatoes such as Solanum megistacrolohum and Solanum acaulc. Other secondary plant compounds in potatoes are saponins, phytohemagglutinin, proteinase inhibitors, sesquiterpene phytoalexins, and phenols. 

Quil-A saponin toxicity. Mice fed Quil-A-supplemented diet (a saponin that emulsifies fats and potentiates the immune responses) showed higher level of docosa-pentaenoic acid in the liver. These changes were associated with a significant reduction in the plasma PGEl and PGE2 and thrombohane-B2 levels in response to an intraperitoneal injection of a lethal dose of lipopolysaccharide endotoxin, LDjf, 20 mg/ kg. The data suggest that sesame seed oil and Quil A, when present in the diet, exerted cumulative effects that resulted in a decrease in the levels of dienoic eicosanoids with a reduction in lL-1 P and a con-commitant elevation in the levels of lL-10 that were associated with a marked increase survival in mice . ... 

Eenwick GR, Price KR,TsukamotaC, Okubo K (1992) Saponins. In D Mello JP, Duffus CM, Duffus JH (eds) Toxic substances in crop plants. The Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, UK, p 284... 

Aleurites fordii Hemsl. You Tong (Candlenut) (fruit, aerial part, seed) Saponin, alpha-elaeo stearic, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, tannins, phytosterols, n-hentriacontane, alpha-amyrin, beta-amyrin, stigmasterol, beta-sitosterolm, campesterol.50-219 Analgesic activity. Treat anemia, atrophy, edema, vermicide, oil (toxic internally) for parasitic skin diseases. 

Altemanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. A. sessilis (L.) R. Brown Kong Xin Lian Zi Cao Man Ti Xian (aerial part) Saponin, coumarin, tannins, falvins.33 Treat viral infections, measles, hemorrhagic fever, toxic and icteric hepatitis. 

Elephantopus elatus L. E. grandiflorus Smith Di Dan Tou (leaf) Elaeocarpid, saponin.60 This herb is toxic. Treat billious attacks, staphylococcus. 

Panax zingiberensis C. Y. Wu . M. Feng San Qi (root) Saponins including arasaponins, panaxadiol, panaxatriol.33 This herb is mildly toxic. Arrest bleeding, remove blood stasis, relieve pain. Treat angina pectoris, hemorragic diseases. 

Phytolacca acinosa Roxb. P. americana L. P japonica Makino P. kaempferi A. Gray P octandra Bge. P. pekinensis Hance Shang Lu (Pokeberry) (root) Phytolacine, phytolaccatoxin, oxyristic acid, jaligonic acid, saponins.33-144 This herb is toxic. Antitussive, diuretic, antibacterial, antiinflammatory. 

Trichosanth.es kirilowii Maxim. T. uniflora Hao Gua Lou, Tian Hua Fen (Chinese snakegourd) (root, seed) Trichosanthin, polysaccharides, saponin, organic acids, resin, protein (TAP29).33 261 This herb is highly toxic. Treat pectoris and acute mastitis. Antitussive, as an expectorant, anti-HIV activity. 

Arisaema consanguineum Mart. China Alkaloids, saponin, benzoic acid.33-49 This herb is highly toxic. Treat tetanus, spasms, epilepsy, neuralgia. Sedative, anticonvulsive, an expectorant. 

N.A. Triterpenoid saponins, lectins, proteins, resin, mucilage." This herb is toxic. Anti-inflammatory, antiviral, treat rheumatic and arthritic conditions, respiratory tract infections. 

N.A. Clematis vitalba L. C. virginiana L. Protoanemonin, saponins.99 This herb is toxic. Analgesic, relieve pain to arthritic joints, diuretic, counter urinary problems. 

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