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A mechanism for the hypocholesterolaemic activity of saponins

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

G. S. Sidhu  and
D. G. Oakenfull
G. S. Sidhu
Affiliation:
CSIRO Division of Food Research, PO Box 52, North Ryde, Australia
D. G. Oakenfull
Affiliation:
CSIRO Division of Food Research, PO Box 52, North Ryde, Australia
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Abstract

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1. Saponins are steroid or triterpene glycosides which occur in a number of important food plants, including such staples as soya beans (Glycine max) and chickpeas (Cicer arietinurn). They are known to be hypocholesterolaemic.

2. Some saponins form an insoluble complex with cholesterol which prevents its absorption from the small intestine. Others cause an increase in the faecal excretion of bile acids, an indirect route for elimination of cholesterol.

3. We have investigated the effects of different saponins on absorption of the bile salt sodium cholate from perfused loops of small intestine, in vivo, in the rat. Purified saponins from soapwort (Suponaria Officinalis), soya beans and quillaia (Quillata suponaria) reduced the rate of absorption of the bile salt; soya-bean and soapwort saponins substantially so but quillaia saponin to a much lesser extent.

4. These results were explained by the formation of large mixed micelles by bile acid and saponin molecules in aqueous solution. These aggregates can have molecular weights in excess of 106 daltons, consequently the bile acid molecules incorporated in them are not available for absorption.

5. Control of plasma cholesterol and nutrient absorption through dietary saponins could provide substantial health and nutritional benefits in humans.

Type
Papers on General Nutrition
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 55 , Issue 3 , May 1986 , pp. 643 - 649
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1986

References

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