Page 132 - Medicinal Plants_PharmD general

The aglycones of saponin glycosides are referred to as sapogenins. Two
kinds of saponin are recognized according to the structure of the aglycone
or sapogenin:

i. Steroidal type.
ii. Triterpenoid type.

Steroidal saponins are of great importancce owing to their relationship with
such compounds as the sex hormones, cortisone, vitamin D and the cardiac
glycosides, they are used as starting materials for the synthesis of such
compounds. Examples of drugs containing steroidal saponins; fenugreek,
sarsaparilla and Ginseng.
Examples of drugs containing triterpenoidal saponins are quillaia, liquorice
and senega.
Root of Sapornaria officinalis is used as emiulsifying agent, also senega
root is used as expectorant in chronic bronchitis.

V. Crystals

1. Calcium Oxalate:

Calcium oxalate is a very common cell content in the plant kingdom.
It is formed in the cell as an end product of metabolism being apparently a
result of the reaction of the calcium salts absorbed from the soil and oxalic
acid produced in the plant as a result of the metabolic process. As calcium
oxalate is practically insoluble in water and in the weakly acid cell sap, it
is found in more or less crystalline form. The crystals may be developed
singly in the cell or may be formed in one and the same cell. They exhibit
a considerable variety, both in shape and in size.

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