Page 166 - PG 504-theoretical notes-phyto-1-2024-2025..

Clinical pharmacy PharmD program Third level Phytochemistry-1 (PG-504)

Medicinal Importance of Saponins:

1. As precursors in the synthesis of cortecoids and the sex hormones:

• Steroidal saponins are less widely distributed in nature than tri-terpinoid saponins, but
they are of great medicinal and commercial value.

• -The steroidal saponins are structurally related to the synthetic compounds that have
therapeutic significance, such as the adrenocortecoids and the sex hormones.

So, they suitable precursors in the partial synthesis of these hormones. •

2. Saponins increase the rate of absorption of many pharmacologically active substances (e.g.
the cardiac glycosides). They are used also as emulsifiers.

3. Many saponin-containing drugs are extensively used as expectorants (e.g. Ipeca, Senaga and
Liquorice), as their contents of saponins stimulate bronchial secretion and also activate the ciliary
epithelium of the bronchi.

Glycyrrhizin

The triterpenoidal saponin glycoside, glycyrrhizin, is the main sweet principle of liquorice.

-It is the calcium and potassium salts of glycyrrhizic acid, which in turn is the diglucuronic acid
glycoside of b-glycyrrhitinic acid.

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