Naturally occurring saponins: Chemistry and biology

Abstract

13 C NMR and Mass spectroscopy. Saponins possess several biological activities such as antioxidant, immunostimulant, antihepatotoxic, antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, antidiarrheal, antiulcerogenic, antioxytoxic, antihypoglycemic, anticytotoxic and antimolluscicidal. Saponins are biologically synthesized by C5 isoprene units through cytosolic mevalonate pathway. 2,3-Oxidosqualene gives β-amyrin or triterpenoid skeletons on cyclization through isoprenoid pathway. The triterpenoid backbone then undergoes various modifications to form saponins.