Triterpenoid Saponins From Plants
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Potential
As
Chemopreventive Agents
Triterpenoid saponins are triterpenes which belong to
a class of chemical compounds known as saponins.
Triterpenoid saponins are abundant in nature and
found in a variety of foods, herbs and spices. An
example of some of these food, herbs and spices
include:
ashwagandha
azuma ichirinsou
bearberry
brahmi
Chinese bellflower
ginseng
gotu kola
lei gong teng
licorice
mango
olive
onion
rosemary
salai guggal
shallaki
sickle-leaf
thyme
tulsi
Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that
triterpenoids have great potential as anticancer
agents and the ability to limit the development and
severity of certain cancers. 1 Triterpenoids also
shown great promise as an anti-inflammatory agent.
The Table below lists the triterpenoids that have been
studied for their potential as chemopreventive agents
as well as in their ability to treat cancer. 2 There are
other triterpenoids not listed that have been studied,
yet this list contains those plants or supplements that
are commercially available:
Triterpenoid's From Plants As Molecular
Targets For Cancer Prevention
Triterpenoid
Botanical Name
Common Name
Reference(s)
Asiatic acid
Centella asiatica
Indian pennywort
(Gotu Kola)
12345
Ziziphus mauritiana;
Indian jujube;
Prunella vulgaris
selfheal
Boswellic acid
Boswellia serrata
Boswellia
7 8 9 10 11
Diosgenin
Trigonella foenum
graecum
Fenugreek
12 13 14
Horse chestnut
15 16
Betulinic acid
Escin (Aescin)
Aesculus
hippocastanum
6
Ganoderic acid
Ganoderma lucidum
Reishi
17 18 19 20
Ginsenoside
Panax ginseng
Ginseng
21 22 23
Glycyrrhizin
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Licorice root
24 25 26
Gypenoside
Gynostemma
pentaphyllum
Jiaogulan
27 28 29
Lupeol
Mangifera indica
Mango; dandelion
coffee
30 31 32 33 34
35 36 37
Triterpenoid
Botanical Name
Common Name
Reference(s)
Madecassic acid
Centella asiatica
Indian pennywort,
gotu kola
38
Oleanolic acid
Arctostaphyllos uvaursi; Ganoderma
lucidum
Bearberry; Reishi
39 40 41 42
Saikosaponins
Bupleurum falcatum L.
Hare's ear root,
sickle-leaf
43 44 45
Ursolic acid
Ocimum sanctum L.;
Thymus vulgaris L.;
Rosmarinus officinalis
Holy basil, tulsi;
46 47 48 49 50
Thyme; Rosemary
51 52
Withanolide
Withania somnifera
Indian ginseng,
53 54 55 56 57
ashwagandha
58
Resources:
The Table below list the commercially available
products that contain the specific triterpenoid:
Commercially Available Products That
Contain Listed Triterpenoids
Triterpenoid
Botanical Name
Common Name
Resources
Asiatic acid
Centella asiatica
Indian pennywort
(Gotu Kola)
1
Betulinic acid
Ziziphus mauritiana;
Prunella vulgaris
Indian jujube; selfheal
23
Boswellic acid
Boswellia serrata
Boswellia
4
Diosgenin
Trigonella foenum
graecum
Fenugreek
5
Escin (Aescin)
Aesculus hippocastanum
Horse chestnut
6
Triterpenoid
Botanical Name
Common Name
Resources
Ganoderic acid
Ganoderma lucidum
Reishi
7
Ginsenoside
Panax ginseng
Ginseng
8
Glycyrrhizin
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Licorice root
9 10
Gypenoside
Gynostemma
pentaphyllum
Jiaogulan
11
Lupeol
Mangifera indica
Mango; dandelion
coffee
12 13 14
Madecassic acid
Centella asiatica
Indian pennywort,
gotu kola
15
Oleanolic acid
Arctostaphyllos uva-ursi;
Ganoderma lucidum
Bearberry; Reishi
16
Saikosaponins
Bupleurum falcatum L.
Ursolic acid
Ocimum sanctum L.;
Thymus vulgaris L.;
Rosmarinus officinalis
Withanolide
Withania somnifera
Hare's ear root,
sickle-leaf
17 18 19
Holy basil, tulsi;
Thyme; Rosemary
20 21 22
Indian ginseng,
ashwagandha
23
Statements regarding the above referenced products have not been evaluated by
the Food and Drug Administration. Any products referred to in this article are not
intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Information and
statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the
advice of your treating doctor. BioFoundations does not dispense medical advice,
prescribe, or diagnose illness. If you have a severe medical condition or health
concern, see your physician.