Saponins are products of plants, bacteria and some marine animals. Structurally, saponins contain a hydrophobic steroid ring with a water soluble sugar. Saponins have biological effects in animals and appear to be absorbed from the intestine. The biological effects of saponins include the ability to create pores in cell membranes, thus increasing their permeability. This may result from the attraction of the aglycone moiety for phospholipids in the membranes. Some saponins may also have hypoglycaemic effects, and this may result from effects in the intestine that slow or inhibit the absorption of glucose. Another intestinal effect of saponins is their ability to prevent the absorption of cholesterol through sequester of cholesterol into micelles that then become excreted with the bile. Some saponins can cause the release of luteinizing hormone, and this may explain their use as supplements in resistance training athletes. Saponins are also anti-inflammatory and have antiviral, antifungal and antimicrobial effects.
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