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Saponins - Soap plants

Saponins are natural surfactants, or detergents, found in many

plants. They get their name from the soapwort plant (Saponaria), the

root of which was used historically as a soap (Latin sapo --->

soap). Saponins have long been known to have strong biological

activity. When studying the effect that saponins have on plants, it

has been discovered that saponins are the plants' active immune

system.

Saponins are glycosides with a distinctive foaming characteristic.

They are found in many plants, They consist of a polycyclic aglycone

that is either a choline steroid or triterpenoid attached via C3 and

an ether bond to a sugar side chain. The aglycone is referred to as

the sapogenin and steroid saponins are called saraponins. The ability

of a saponin to foam is caused by the combination of the nonpolar

sapogenin and the water soluble side chain.

Saponins are highly toxic to some creatures such as fish, the gills

get permeable and bleeding occurs. Many natural cultures and hunting

tribes are using the saponin effect of certain plants in their

fishing methods by adding large amounts of saponin rich plants into

the water to stupify or kill the fish.

The common use of saponins today is mainly as a cough remedy and for

diuretics. Saponins are used in toothpaste as well, and in gurgles,

shampoo or for foaming agents in drinks such as root beer, in

improving the head in beer etc. They are also used in fire

extinguishers as a foam producer and in photographic emulsions. They

can be used in industry and mining for things such as ore separation

Yucca

The saponins from yucca have both a water-soluble and fat-soluble end

and therefore act like soap. Native Americans used the soapy leaves

from yucca for numerous conditions. Some say the Native Americans

washed their hair with yucca to fight dandruff and hair loss.

Other plants containing saponins include Christmas Rose, Horse

Chestnut trees, Asparagus fern, and Daisies, chickpeas, soybeans,

common beans, Alfalfa, Corn cockle, cow cockle, peas and other

legume, soapwort, Broomweed, Alfombrilla, Yucca, Horse Chestnut, Many

varieties of Ivy, Foxglove, Fenugreek, the Soap Lilly, Bracken,

Ragged Robin, Many Campions, saponins from Primulas are used for

their strong antibiotic qualities.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF SAPONINS

SAPONINS INHIBIT GROWTH OF CANCER CELLS

Recent studies at University of Toronto, Department of Nutritional

Science, Toronto, Ontario, Canada have indicated that dietary sources

of saponins offer preferential chemo preventive strategy in lowering

the risk of human cancers.

One of the most exciting prospects for saponinsis how they appear to

inhibit or kill cancer cells. They may also be able to do it without

killing normal cells in the process that is the mode of present

cancer-fighting drugs. Cancer cells have more cholesterol-type

compounds in their membranes than normal cells. Saponins can bind

cholesterol and thus interfere with cell growth and division. While

drugs have side effect, many of them serious, saponins are safe.

Dr. A.V. Rao, professor and researcher at the University of Toronto

and his colleagues believe that saponins may help prevent colon

cancer. Usually, bile pours into the stomach to help absorb fats

from foods. Bacteria in the large intestine turn bile into a

substance which is highly carcinogenic. This is why a high-fat diet

increases the risk of colon cancer. Research suggests that when

saponins travel through, they stop the toxic material from forming.

SAPONINS A NATURAL ANTIBIOTIC - Saponins function as a " natural

antibiotic " for plants and now scientists are looking at how they can

help humans fight fungal infections, combat microbes and viruses,

boost the effectiveness of certain vaccines. Their natural tendency

to ward off microbes may prove to be especially useful for treating

those difficult to control fungal and yeast infections.

Saponins are widely being researched for cholesterol control. The

blood cholesterol-lowering properties of dietary saponins are of

particular interest in human nutrition. One of the most prominent

research programs on this subject was that of Dr. Rene Malinow,

Oregon Regional Primate Center that demonstrated unequivocally the

cholesterol-lowering properties of saponins. Saponins cause a

depletion of body cholesterol by preventing its reabsorption, this

increasing its excretion. Saponins act by binding with bile acids and

cholesterol, so it is thought that these chemicals " clean " or purge

these fatty compounds from the body, lowering the blood cholesterol

levels. Recent studies have suggested that the low serum cholesterol

levels of Masai tribes in East Africa -- who consume a diet very high

in animal products, cholesterol, and saturated fat -- are probably

due to the consumption of saponin-rich herbs.

Some saponins affect the heart and have been used for over 100 years

to treat heart conditions. Digitalis is one such saponin and is

derived from the common garden plant, Foxglove. Digitalis strengthens

contractions of the heart muscle and makes it work more efficiently

in people with heart disease. Digitalis-type saponins can be toxic in

high doses and have been used as arrow and spear poisons by African

and South American natives.

The saponins make an ordinary product from the plant's metabolic

process. The typical foaming response from saponin in water has led

to some use for laundry purposes. They have some biological effects,

that are mostly identical. They

make strong cytotoxic drugs

resolve the red blood cells (except the liquorice root)

induce irritation on the mucous membrane, which activate the

cough and sneeze reflex.

SOURCES

Symposium, Brussels, Belgium, September, 1996.

Natural and Applied Science, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay,

Wisconsin

National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Peoria,

Illinois

Saybury Laboratory, Norwich, United Kingdom

Linus ing Institute/Oregon State University

R. Cheeke, Ph.D., Oklahoma State University, Stillwater,

Oklahoma

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1997

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1990

Lipkin, Science News, Vol. 148, 1995

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1990, D. Oakenfull and G.

Sidhu

Understand Vitamins and Minerals, 1964 Rodale Press, Page 129

Masai Diet Wards Off Heart Disease, Boris Weintraub, Geographica

" Amazing Medicines the Drug Companies Don't Want You to Discover, "

University Medical Research Publishers, 1993, Page 219

" Yucca - The food supplement that helps prevent and treat arthritis

and high blood pressure, " Shideler Harpe, Arthritis News Today, Vol.

2, No. 6, March 1980