saponinogenins

Saponinogenins are the aglycones of saponins, which are glycosylated compounds found in a wide variety of plants. Saponins consist of a sapogenin backbone and one or more sugar chains. When the sugar chains are removed, the remaining aglycone is the saponinogenin. These compounds are characterized by a steroid or triterpenoid structure.

Saponinogenins themselves are generally not water-soluble, but their glycosylated counterparts, saponins, exhibit surfactant properties due to the amphipathic nature of the molecule, having both a hydrophobic sapogenin part and a hydrophilic sugar part. This property allows saponins to form stable foams in water, which is why they are sometimes referred to as "soap-like" compounds.

The biosynthesis of saponinogenins begins with the mevalonate pathway or the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, leading to the formation of squalene. Squalene then undergoes cyclization to form steroid or triterpenoid skeletons, which are subsequently modified through various enzymatic reactions to yield the specific saponinogenin structures.

These compounds and their glycosylated forms have been investigated for a range of biological activities, including hemolytic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol-lowering effects. Their presence in medicinal plants has contributed to their traditional uses. The diversity of saponinogenin structures contributes to the wide range of properties observed in different plant species.