Sapogenins Glycosides

Sapogenins glycosides are a mixture of triterpene and steroid saponins isolated from medicinal plants such as Aesculus hippocastanum L., Hedera helix L. and Ruscus aculeatus L., which are claimed to be effective for the treatment/prevention of venous insufficiency. (In Vitro) :Saponins are glycosides with a distinctive foaming characteristic. Saponins 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 ability of a saponin to foam is caused by the combination of the nonpolar sapogenin and the water soluble side chain. Saponins are bitter and reduce the palatability of livestock feeds. Some saponins reduce the feed intake and growth rate of nonruminant animals while others are not very harmful. For example, the saponins found in oats and spinach increase and accelerate the body's ability to absorb calcium and silicon, thus assisting in digestion. Certain pasture weeds contain substantial quantities of dangerous saponins and result in life threatening toxicities for certain animal species.