Crude Saponin Research Articles

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Crude Saponin Extracts from Five Nigerian Medicinal Plants

Crude saponin extracts of five medicinal plants used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, gout and haemorrhoids were screened for anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema test. These plants were the whole plant of Schwenkia americana Linn (WSA), the rhizomes of Asparagus africanus Lam (RAA), the leaves of Dichrostachys cinerea Linn (LDC), the stem bark of Ficus iteophylla Miq (BFI) and the leaves of Indigofera pulchra Willd (LIP). A modify traditional method of crude saponins extraction was used to give the following percentage yields: WSA-2.74%, RAA-3.59%, LDC-1.62%, BFI-0.81% and LIP-1.57% respectively. Thin-layer chromatography was used to identify the type of saponins present in the extracts. The acute toxicity study of the crude saponin extracts in mice gave the following intraperitoneal LD50: WSA-471.2mg/kg, RAA- 1264.9mg/kg, LDC-1264.9 mg/kg, BFI-118.3mg/kg and LIP-1264.9 mg/kg respectively. The anti-inflammatory study of the extracts showed statistically significant (P<0.05) decreases in the rat paw-oedema as compared to the control. The percentage inhibitions of the extracts after four hours were as follow: WSA-61%, RAA-55%, LDC-72%, BFI-66% and LIP-40% respectively. These values were found to be comparable to that of ketoprofen-63%. The study showed that the anti-inflammatory properties attributable to these plants may be due to their saponins contents.

Activity of saponin fraction of Anisopus mannii against some pathogenic microorganisms

Partially purified saponin fraction was obtained from column chromatography of crude saponin precipitate of the aerial part of Anisopus mannii, and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility study against pathogenic microorganisms using the disc diffusion technique. The result of the antimicrobial activity indicated by zone of inhibition of growth ranged from 13.0 to 22.2 mm. The fraction was more potent on Escherichia coli (22.2 mm) and least onKlebsiella pneumoniae (13.0 mm). The saponin fraction showed the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 30 mgml-1 and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) value 40 mgml-1 on Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Corynebacterium ulcerans, E. coli, Shigella dysentriae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The spectra of the activity exhibited by the partially purified saponin signify the potential of saponin from A. mannii for the development therapeutic agents against these pathogenic microorganisms. Key words: Anisopus mannii, saponin fraction, antimicrobial activity, pathogenic microorganisms.

Comparative studies of acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis for production of soyasapogenols from soybean saponin

Soyasapogenols, aglycones of soyasaponins, can be produced from crude soybean saponin extract by acid or enzymatic hydrolysis. Soyasapogenol B is known to have hepatoprotective, antimutagenic, antivirus, and anti-inflammatory activities. Hydrolysis of soyabean saponin extract for 72 h with 2 M HCl in methanol gave three soyasapogenols, namely: soyasapogenol D, soyasapogenol B1 and soyasapogenol A. However, the microbial hydrolysis of soybean saponin extract by Aspergillus terreus led to isolation of soyasapogenol B as a major product. A systematic evaluation of the effect of key operational parameters on the microbial transformation was performed. Maximum production of soyasapogenol B (about 152.3 mg/50ml) was observed using 1.5% (w/v) soybean saponin and 1.5% (w/v) glucose, 32°C after 72 h at pH 7 using phosphate buffer. Under these optimal conditions, the cells’ bioconversion efficiency increased from 20.5 to 85.3%. The isolation of soyasapogenols was performed using chromatographic methods and their structures identified on the basis of spectroscopic tools.

Cytotoxic and anthelmintic potential of crude saponins isolated from Achillea Wilhelmsii C. Koch and Teucrium Stocksianum boiss.

BackgroundSaponins isolated from plant sources have a number of traditional and industrial applications. Saponins have pharmacological effects like anti-inflammatory, molluscicidal, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, antidiabetic, anticancer, anticonvulsant, anthelmintic, antitussive and cytotoxic activities. The current work describes the anthelmintic and cytotoxic activities of crude saponins of Achillea Wilhelmsii and Teucrium Stocksianum as these plants are rich with saponins.MethodsBrine shrimp cytotoxic activity of crude saponins was determined by Meyer et al. (1982) at test concentrations of 1000 μg/ml, 100 μg/ml, 10 μg/ml, 7.5 μg/ml, 5.0 μg/ml, 2.5 μg/ml and 1.25 μg/ml. Percentage mortality of test concentrations was determined. Similarly, in vitro anthelmintic activity was determined against roundworms, tapeworms and earthworms. Albendazole and piperazine citrate at concentration 10 mg/ml were used as standard anthelmintic drugs.ResultsCrude saponins of Achillea wilhelmsii (CSA) and Teucrium stocksianum (CST) had, respectively, cytotoxic activity with LC50 values 2.3 ± 0.16 and 5.23 ± 0. 34 μg/ml. For in vitro anthelmintic activity, time for paralysis and death of parasites (parasiticidal activity) was noted. At concentration 40 mg/ml, crude saponins of Achillea wilhelmsii are 1.96 and 2.12 times more potent than albendazole against Pheretima posthuma and Raillietina spiralis, respectively. Similarly, at concentration 40 mg/ml, crude saponins of Teucrium stocksianum (CST) has 1.89, 1.96 and 1.37 times more parasiticidal activity than albendazole against Pheretima posthuma, Raillietina spiralis and Ascardia galli, respectively.ConclusionCrude saponins of Achillea wilhelmsii and Teucrium stocksianum have cytotoxic and anthelmintic activity. The crude saponins may be excellent sources of cytotoxic and anthelmintic constituents that warrant its isolation and purification for new drug development.

Analysis of chemical constituents in medicinal plants of selected districts of Pakhtoonkhwa, Pakistan

Alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins were determined in the Teraxacam officinale , Cichorium intybus and Figonia tritica . Quantative determinations of crude alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins (g kg-1) and their percentages (%) were determined in C. intybus, T. officinale and F. critica collected from Kohat, Mardan, Nowshera and Peshawar regions. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) study of the alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins were carried out with different solvent systems and color of the spot and Rf value of each constituent was determined. Among the samples of C. intybus , relatively higher contents of alkaloids (14 g kg -1 ) were found in the sample collected from Mardan region, followed by the sample gathered from Nowshera which is equal to 13.8g kg -1 . Higher contents of flavonoids were found in C. intybus collected from Kohat region which was 23.48 g kg -1 . The other remaining samples of C. intybus ranged in the decreasing order of 19.7, 17.2 and 10.0 g kg -1 for the ones collected from Nowshera, Mardan and Peshawar, respectively. The overall saponin contents remained almost low as compared to the alkaloid and flavonoid contents. Key words : Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, TLC study, medicinal plants.

Ginsenoside Production and Morphological Characterization of Wild Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) Mutant Lines Induced by γ-irradiation (60Co) of Adventitious Roots

With the purpose of improving ginsenoside content in adventitious root cultures of Korean wild ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer), the roots were treated with different dosages of γ-ray (5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 200 Gy). The growth of adventitious roots was inhibited at over 100 Gy. The irradiated adventitious roots showed significant variation in the morphological parameters and crude saponin content at 50 to100 Gy. Therefore, four mutant cell lines out of the propagation of 35 cell lines treated with 50 Gy and 100 Gy were selected on the basis of phenotypic morphology and crude saponin contents relative to the wild type control. The contents of 7 major ginsenosides (Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rf, and Rd) were determined for cell lines 1 and 3 from 100 Gy and lines 2 and 4 from 50 Gy treatments. Cell line 2 showed more secondary roots, longer length and superior growth rate than the root controls in flasks and bioreactors. Cell line 1 showed larger average diameter and the growth rate in the bioreactor was comparable with that of the control but greater in the flask cultured roots. Cell lines 1 and 2, especially the former, showed much more ginsenoside contents than the control in flasks and bioreactors. Therefore, we chose cell line 1 for further study of ginsenoside contents. The crude saponin content of line 1 in flask and bioreactor cultures increased by 1.4 and 1.8-fold, respectively, compared to the control. Total contents of 7 ginsenoside types (Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rf, and Rd) increased by 1.8 and 2.3-fold, respectively compared to the control. Crude saponin and ginsenoside contents in the bioreactor culture increased by about 1.4-fold compared to that the flask culture.

저온저장 온도가 수삼(Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer)의 호흡률 및 내적 품질에 미치는 영향

As a serial study to investigate optimum storing temperature of fresh ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer), the respiration rate and internal quality of the ginseng was compared during storage for 16 weeks at , and . At initial storage period, respiration rate of fresh ginseng was lower at lower temperature, but thereafter it was negligible. Changes in the firmness of fresh ginseng were not significantly different by the storage temperature. The soluble solids content in fresh ginseng was rapidly increased in the early part of storage, and fresh ginseng stored at a lower temperature had a lower content of soluble solids. The iodine-stained color for starch of the main root was rapidly changed for 4 weeks, and L value of the color was the highest in the center, followed by the cambium and the cortex. pH were a little change depending upon the storage temperature, and as a whole, pH was the lowest at , followed by and . Although the content of crude saponin tended to somewhat increased as the storage period passed, the effect of storage temperature on changes in the content was not clear. In the sensory evaluation of 'unique flavor' of fresh ginseng using 5 point scale, higher than 3 point was marked for 8 weeks at , 14 weeks at and 16 weeks at during storage (p

Platyconic acid, a saponin from Platycodi radix, improves glucose homeostasis by enhancing insulin sensitivity in vitro and in vivo

Previous research demonstrated that the crude saponins of Platycodi radix improve glucose metabolism by enhancing insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic animals; however, which individual saponins are the most potent insulin sensitizers is unknown. This study investigated which saponin(s) have anti-diabetic action in vitro and in vivo. The insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and PPAR-γ agonistic actions of six saponins from Platycodi radix were investigated in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was determined in Min6 cells. Four individual saponins (20 mg/kg body weight) were orally administered to low-dose streptozotocin-injected diabetic mice fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks to evaluate glucose tolerance by oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT), insulin sensitivity by insulin tolerance testing, and insulin signaling in the liver and adipose tissues. Platyconic acid (PA) most effectively increased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, possibly in part by working as a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR)-γ activator; however, none of the saponins improved glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in insulinoma cells. PA-treated diabetic mice exhibited the lowest peak serum glucose levels and highest serum insulin levels during the first part of OGTT. PA also improved insulin sensitivity: PA increased glycogen accumulation and decreased triacylglycerol storage in liver, which was associated with enhanced hepatic insulin signaling, while PA potentiated the expression of adiponectin and PPAR-γ in adipose tissue, and improved insulin signaling and increased GLUT4 translocation into the membranes. PA improves glucose homeostasis in type 2 diabetic mice, partly by enhancing hepatic and adipocyte insulin sensitivity, possibly by activating PPAR-γ.

Exploiting anti-obesity mechanism of Clerodendrum phlomidis against two different models of rodents

Roots of Clerodendrum phlomidis are used by the local people of Dibrugarh district of Assam state India as a dietary supplement for treating weight issues and are also mentioned in the traditional system of Indian medicine as a remedy for obesity. We examined the anti-obesity effect of Clerodendrum phlomidis (family Verbenaceae) L. roots against cafeteria diet (CD) and progesterone-induced obesity. In CD-induced model obesity was induced by feeding CD for 48-days and increase in body weight and fat storage was suppressed co-administration with methanolic extract of Clerodendrum phlomidis (MECP) at 400 mg/kg. Blood analysis showed that the levels of triglyceride and cholesterol were significantly lowered by MECP administration and there is subsequent rise in HDLcholesterol level. From this experiment, we demonstrated that MECP is effective in ameliorating the CD-induced hyperglycemia, hyperinsulimenia, dyslepidemia, increase in wet weight of white adipose tissue, and hypertrophy of fat cells. In drug induced obesity model hyperphagia was induced by progesterone (10 mg/kg s.c.) for 28 days and was suppressed by co-administration with MECP in dose dependent manner. It is tempting to speculate that these protective effects shown by Clerodendrum phlomidis is by multiple mechanisms. MECP contains β-sitosterol in the abundant quantity because of the structural similarity it do the physical competition with natural sterols while absorption of food stuffs from GIT and moreover the crude saponin and flavonoid has been reported for it’s the appetit suppressant property and hence reduces hyperphagia produced by progesterone. This is the first report demonstrating that Clerodendrum phlomidis is effective in ameliorating insulin resistance and visceral obesity induced by CD and Progesterone. Key words: Adipocyte, cafeteria diet, clerodendrum phlomidis, hyperphagia, hypertrophy, progesterone

Anti-inflammatory Effects of Aqueous Extract from Radix Liriope muscari and Its Major Active Fraction and Component

Aim To investigate the anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract from Liriope muscari (Decne.) Bailey (Lm-a), its crude saponin fraction (Lm-s) and one major component (Lm-3), and to provide some pharmacological evidence for its clinical use in inflammatory diseases. Methods The anti-inflammatory activities of Lm-a, Lm-s and Lm-3 were evaluated by xylene-induced ear swelling and paw edema induced by carrageenan or histamine in mice. Meanwhile, the activity of Lm-3 was also determined by assaying the adhesion of human pro-myelocytic leukemia cell strain (HL-60) to human umbilical vein endothelial cell line (ECV304) induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) in vitro. Results Lm-a significantly inhibited ear swelling caused by xylene and paw edema induced by carrageenan in mice when given orally once at doses of 336 and 672 mg·kg −1. Meanwhile, Lm-s and Lm-3 possessed similar remarkable anti-inflammatory effects in such two animal models at a single oral dose of 23.2 or 4.6 mg·kg −1 (relevant to Lm-a 672 mg·kg −1), respectively. Moreover, Lm-3 markedly suppressed acute paw edema induced by histamine in mice when given orally once at the dose of 4.6 mg·kg −1, whose potency was similar to that of Lm-a or Lm-s at a single oral dose of 672 or 23.2 mg·kg −1. Lm-3 also significantly inhibited the adhesion of HL-60 to ECV304 cells induced by TNF-α or PMA at the concentrations of 0.01, 0.1 and 1 μmol·L −1 in vitro, which suggested the involved role of protein kinase C etc. Conclusion Lm-a, Lm-s and Lm-3 have the anti-inflammatory activities, which offers pharmacological supports to the ethnomedical use of the roots of L. muscari in inflammatory diseases and reveals the major attribution of saponins-rich fraction including Lm-3.

생약초(표고버섯, 더덕, 어성초) 추출물을 첨가한 청국장환의 특성

본 실험은 전통발효식품인 청국장의 기능성 및 품질향상을 위한 기초자료를 제공하기 위하여 생약초(표고버섯, 더덕, 어성초) 추출물을 각각 동량 섞어 제조한 것을 청국장환에 10%, 20% 및 30% 첨가하여 제조한 다음 이들의 이화학적 특성을 조사하였다. 생약초 추출물 첨가량이 증가함에 따라 색도 중 L값과 b값은 다소 증가하였으며, pH의 경우 약간 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 일반성분 중 조단백질, 조지방과 조섬유 함량은 생약초 첨가수준이 높을수록 다소 감소하였으며, 수분과 회분은 증가하였다. 구성 아미노산 함량은 glutamic acid > aspartic acid > leucime > arginine 순이었으며, 지방산 조성의 경우 linolenic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid 순으로 나타났다. 경도의 경우 추출물 첨가수준이 증가할수록 감소하는 결과를 보였다. 더덕의 지표 성분인 조사포닌과 어성호에 많이 함유된 쿼세틴 함량을 분석한 결과 생약초 함량이 증가할수록 증가하는 정의 상관관계를 보여 생약초 추출물 30% 첨가구가 가장 많은 함량 분포를 보였다. 첨가수준별 청국장의 관능검사를 실시한 결과 생약초 추출물 20% 첨가하여 제조한 제품이 기호도면에서 가장 좋은 점수를 받았다. 이상의 결과로 보아 생약초 추출물 첨가한 청국장환은 추출물 함량이 증가할수록 영양성분이나 기능성 물질의 함량이 대부분 증가하는 것으로 나타났고, 관능검사를 실시한 결과 생약초 추출물을 20% 첨가하여 제조한 청국장환 제품이 기호도면에서 가장 좋은 제품으로 판단되어, 소비자들의 기호도를 고려한 최종 제품은 생약초 추출물을 20% 까지 첨가하여 제조하는 것이 가장 좋은 제품으로 나타났으며 이러한 사실은 여러 가지 생약초가 갖는 장점 등을 청국장환에 적용할 수 있는 가능성을 시사한다고 볼 수 있다. Cheonggukjang tablet was prepared by addition of medicinal herb extracts (from Lentinus edodes, Codonopsis lanceolata, or Houttuynia cordata Thunb.) to improve its quality and functional properties. Lightness and yellowness (measured using Hunter's color values) were generally increased with increasing amount of medicinal herb extracts, whereas pH decreased. In proximate composition, the levels of crude protein, lipid and fiber levels of Cheonggukjang tablet decreased with increasing amount of added medicinal herb extracts, whereas moisture and crude ash were increased. The major amino acid of Cheonggukjang tablet were glutamic acid, aspartic acid, leucine and the principal fatty acids of Cheonggukjang tablet were linolenic acid, linoleic acid and palmitic acid, respectively. Hardness levels of Cheonggukjang tablet decreased with increasing amounts of added medicinal herb extracts. The Cheonggukjang tablet added with medicinal herb extracts increased both crude saponin and quercetin contents. Sensory score of Cheonggukjang tablet containing 20% (w/v) medicinal herb extracts were optimal in terms of both quality characteristics and sensory evaluation.

Increased expression of apoptotic genes in cancer cells by heat-processed crude saponin

Heat treatment of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer at a temperature higher than that applied to the conventional preparation of Korea ginseng has been reported to yield a mixture of saponins with potent cytotoxic properties. In an effort to understand the mechanism of cytotoxicity, we studied the effect of heat-processed crude saponin (H-CS) on the viability, nuclear morphology and apoptotic gene induction of human colorectal carcinoma cells (HCT-15 cells) and human glioma carcinoma cells (U87MG). Treatment of the carcinoma cells with a final concentration of up to 1 mg/mL of H-CS resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in viability. In comparison with non-heatprocessed crude saponin (NH-CS), H-CS exhibited increased cytotoxicity. In addition, H-CS induced more apoptotic nuclear fragments in HCT-15 cells than in NH-CS. An analysis of apoptotic gene expression using quantitative real-time PCR revealed high expression levels of the genes encoding caspase 7, caspase 9, cytochrome C, and Bax at RQ values of 26.87, 17.39, 4.55, and 8.51, respectively. Collectively, our results suggest that H-CS has higher anti-proliferative effects on carcinoma cells by inducing apoptosis of the mitochondrial pathway.

4년근 인삼의 효소적 가수분해 조건에 따른 품질특성

본 연구에서는 4년근 인삼의 활용도를 높이기 위하여 효소적 가수분해 조건에 따른 품질 특성을 조사하였다. 인삼은 증숙 후 분쇄하여 가수분해 효소제 A, B, C 및 D 4종에 처리에 따른 품질특성을 조사한 결과 pH 5.5~5.6, 당도 4.0~4.33으로 큰 차이가 없었다. 조사포닌 함량은 D 효소제에서 가장 높았으며, B, C 및 A 순으로 나타났다. D 효소제의 농도 0.3%(w/w)까지 조사포닌, 환원당 및 총당 함량이 증가하였으며 이후에는 농도에 따른 차이는 없었다. 가수분해시간이 경과함에 따라 유효성분이 증가하였으나 3시간 이후 큰 변화는 없었으며, 60℃로 처리하였을 때 조사포닌 함량이 높게 나타났다. 이상의 실험결과 D 효소제, 효소제 농도 0.3% (w/w)로 60℃에서 3시간의 조건이 가장 적합한 나타났으며 이때 환원당, 총당 및 조사포닌 함량은 각각 18.11, 36.21 및 4.23 ㎎/g으로 확인되었다. 따라서 효소적 가수분해 방법은 4년근 인삼의 유효성분 증가에 효과적으로 다양한 활용 방법이 기대되었다.

Exploiting anti-obesity mechanism of Clerodendrum phlomidis against two different models of rodents

Roots of Clerodendrum phlomidis are used by the local people of Dibrugarh district of Assam state India as a dietary supplement for treating weight issues and are also mentioned in the traditional system of Indian medicine as a remedy for obesity. We examined the anti-obesity effect of Clerodendrum phlomidis (family Verbenaceae) L. roots against cafeteria diet (CD) and progesterone-induced obesity. In CD-induced model obesity was induced by feeding CD for 48-days and increase in body weight and fat storage was suppressed co-administration with methanolic extract of Clerodendrum phlomidis (MECP) at 400 mg/kg. Blood analysis showed that the levels of triglyceride and cholesterol were significantly lowered by MECP administration and there is subsequent rise in HDLcholesterol level. From this experiment, we demonstrated that MECP is effective in ameliorating the CD-induced hyperglycemia, hyperinsulimenia, dyslepidemia, increase in wet weight of white adipose tissue, and hypertrophy of fat cells. In drug induced obesity model hyperphagia was induced by progesterone (10 mg/kg s.c.) for 28 days and was suppressed by co-administration with MECP in dose dependent manner. It is tempting to speculate that these protective effects shown by Clerodendrum phlomidis is by multiple mechanisms. MECP contains β-sitosterol in the abundant quantity because of the structural similarity it do the physical competition with natural sterols while absorption of food stuffs from GIT and moreover the crude saponin and flavonoid has been reported for it’s the appetit suppressant property and hence reduces hyperphagia produced by progesterone. This is the first report demonstrating that Clerodendrum phlomidis is effective in ameliorating insulin resistance and visceral obesity induced by CD and Progesterone. Key words: Adipocyte, cafeteria diet, clerodendrum phlomidis, hyperphagia, hypertrophy, progesterone

Panax ginseng Improves Senile Testicular Function in Rats

We reported previously that the administration of Korean red ginseng water extract (KRG-WE) protected the guinea pig testis against damage induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (a potent endocrine disruptor). We also found that crude saponin from ginseng was the active ingredient responsible for this protection. Here, we examined the biological role of KRGWE in an animal model of age-induced dysfunction of spermatogenesis. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley (six 2-monthold and eighteen 12-month-old) rats were used. The young and old control groups received only vehicle. The ginseng saponin (GS)- and KRG-WE-treated groups received GS (40 ㎎/㎏ body weight/day) and KRG-WE (200 ㎎/㎏ body weight/day), respectively, for 4 months. The number of cells, Sertoli cell index, Johnsen’ score, and sex hormone levels decreased significantly with age. However, the administration of KRG-WE and GS markedly improved the number of germ cells, seminiferous tubular size, and Johnsen’ score in the old rats. Ginseng produced a distinct testicular histological improvement in old rats. KRG-WE and GS elevated testosterone levels, while attenuating the aberrant increase in follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels. Sperm kinematics evaluated by a computer-assisted sperm analyzer demonstrated improvement in the percentage of motile sperm, progressive sperm motility, and curvilinear velocity associated with sperm quality, supporting the beneficial role of red ginseng in senile spermatogenesis. Overall, the total water extract had a more potent effect than the corresponding saponin fraction. In conclusion, Korean red ginseng rejuvenated age-induced testicular dysfunction. Additionally, the total water extract was more potent than the corresponding saponin fraction.

Foam properties and detergent abilities of the saponins from Camellia oleifera.

The defatted seed meal of Camellia oleifera has been used as a natural detergent and its extract is commercially utilized as a foam-stabilizing and emulsifying agent. The goal of this study was to investigate the foam properties and detergent ability of the saponins from the defatted seed meal of C. oleifera. The crude saponin content in the defatted seed meal of C. oleifera was 8.34 and the total saponins content in the crude saponins extract was 39.5% (w/w). The foaming power of the 0.5 crude saponins extract solution from defatted seed meal of C. oleifera was 37.1 of 0.5 SLS solution and 51.3% to that of 0.5% Tween 80 solution. The R5 value of 86.0% represents good foam stability of the crude saponins extracted from the defatted seed meal of the plant. With the reduction of water surface tension from 72 mN/m to 50.0 mN/m, the 0.5% crude saponins extract solution has wetting ability. The sebum-removal experiment indicated that the crude saponins extract has moderate detergency. The detergent abilities of the saponins from C. oleifera and Sapindus mukorossi were also compared.

Antiproliferative activity of saponin fractions of Chlorophytum borivilianum

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anticancer activity of saponin fractions of Chlorophytum borivilianum belonging to family liliaceae. The MTT (methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) and SRB method was used to evaluate the antiproliferative activity of the mehanolic extract and crude saponin extract. DNA fragmentation assay was carried out to confirm antiproliferative activity of selected extract. Findings of the study suggested that the crude saponin extract of C. borivilianum has potential anticancer activity as very good percentage inhibitions are obtained.

Effects of pre-fermentation enzyme treatments of leaves, stems, and roots of ginseng on Lactobacillus fermentation characteristics and ginsenoside metabolite formation

The extraction and enzymatic treatment conditions of ginseng leaves, stems and roots for the production of fermented ginseng were optimized in order to enhance the extraction of oligosaccharide, which is a Lactobacillus growth-activating factor. Additionally, the effects of enzymatic hydrolysis on Lactobacillus fermentation characteristics and metabolites of ginsenoside were investigated. The ginseng leaves were found to be more suitable for the raw material of fermented ginseng products because ginseng leaves have higher carbohydrate and crude saponin content than ginseng roots. The optimized conditions were found as particle size of ginseng raw material below 0.15 mm, pH 5.0–5.5, reaction temperature of 55–60 °C, Ceremix concentration of 1%, and reaction time of 2 h. It was shown that the polysaccharides of ginseng were hydrolysed to oligosaccharide by the enzymatic hydrolysis of ginseng leaves, stems and roots. The total oligosaccharide content increased by the enzyme treatment up to 2.2-fold, 5.3-fold and 2.3-fold in ginseng leaves, stems and roots, respectively, compared to control (no treatment). It was found that the enzymatic treatment promoted the Lactobacillus growth, resulting in more significant change in total oligosaccharide consumption and total acidity. The content of several metabolites of ginsenoside, such as Compound K, Rg1, Rh1 and Rg3, was selectively increased by combining the enzymatic treatment and Lactobacillus fermentation. Especially, in the case of enzyme treatment using ginseng leaves, Compound K formation was enhanced up to three-fold compared to control (no treatment). Moreover, in case of combined treatment of enzyme and fermentation, Compound K formation was significantly promoted up to ten-fold.

Enzymatic Biotransformation of Red Ginseng and the Compositional Change of Ginsenosides

Compositional changes in ginsenosides and crude saponin during enzymatic biotransformation of red ginseng were studied on three commercial polysaccharide-hydrolyzing enzymes, Pectinex, Termamyl, and Celluclast. Considerable enhancement of crude saponin production was observed with Pectinex, whereas hydrothermally processed black ginseng showed significant decrease. Celluclast-treated red ginseng contained five-fold higher concentration of protopanaxadiol-type ginsenoside Rd, with decrease of precursor Rb1. Red ginseng treated with Pectinex showed distinct increases of protopanaxatriol-type ginsenosides Re and Rg1.

Chemical conversion of ginsenosides in puffed red ginseng

The effects of puffing process on chemical conversion of ginsenosides, extraction yields and crude saponin contents in red ginseng were investigated. To reach a maximum extraction yield, puffed red ginseng took only 8 h, while non-puffed red ginseng required at least 20 h showing extraction yields of 45.7 g solid extract/100 g sample and 44.5 g solid extract/100 g sample, respectively. Extraction yield increased slightly with increasing puffing pressure. Puffed red ginseng showed higher crude saponin contents (201.0–219.0 mg/g extract) than non-puffed one (161.7–189.0 mg/g extract). As the puffing pressure increased, minor ginsenosides (Rg3, F2, Rk1 and Rg5) increased but the contents of major ginsenosides (Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re and Rg1) decreased. These results indicated that a puffing process may provide an effective method to reduce the extraction time, improve the extraction yield and increase the crude saponin content of red ginseng.