Saponins as cytotoxic agents: an update (2010–2021). Part II—Triterpene saponins

Abstract

Abstract Saponins make up an important group of natural glycosidic compounds which are distinguished by triterpene or steroidal aglycone. Although widely distributed in terrestrial flora, especially higher plants, they can also be found in some marine organisms. Cytotoxic activity is one of the most frequently reported from a wide array of pharmacological activities known for these metabolites. The current review is an update of our previous paper— Saponins as cytotoxic agents (Podolak et al. Phytochem Rev 9:425–474, 2010), and covers studies that were since published (2010–2021). This part refers to triterpene saponins and complements the first, which was devoted solely to steroidal saponins (Sobolewska et al. Phytochem Rev 19:139–189, 2020). Cytotoxic activities in vitro and in vivo are presented with a main focus on structure-activity relationships and molecular mechanisms of action.