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<p>Steroidal saponins, composed of an aglycone skeleton and glycoside modifications, are crucial secondary metabolites that enhance plant defense and exhibit potent pharmacological activities. Due to their efficacy and fewer side effects, they are gaining significant attention in the pharmaceutical and food industries. However, due to the lack of a comprehensive understanding of steroidal saponins and the limited knowledge of their synthesis and regulatory mechanisms, the utilization of steroidal saponins in plants faces significant challenges. This review systematically summarizes various aspects of steroidal saponins, including their distribution in the plant kingdom, important pharmacological activities in treating chronic and critical diseases, confirmed and hypothesized synthetic pathways, and their regulatory factors in plants. A particular focus is placed on the controversial synthesis of steroidal saponins from phytosterols, highlighting the key enzymes involved in their biosynthesis, structural modifications, and the regulatory factors that influence their synthesis in plants. Our review not only elucidates the synthesis and regulation pathways of steroidal saponins and lays the foundation for heterologous total synthesis, but also guides optimizing the utilization of plant-derived steroidal saponins and enhancing production efficiency in edible and medicinal plants rich in steroidal saponins.</p>

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Steroidal saponins in edible and medicinal plants: species distribution, bioactivity, biosynthesis, and regulation

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月18日

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  • Liyu Lao,
  • Shuyu Cai,
  • Zaiyang Wen,
  • Yufen Wu,
  • Xinfeng Zhang,
  • Jinping Si,
  • Meisen Yang,
  • Donghong Chen,
  • Jingjing Liu,
  • Cong Li

摘要

Steroidal saponins, composed of an aglycone skeleton and glycoside modifications, are crucial secondary metabolites that enhance plant defense and exhibit potent pharmacological activities. Due to their efficacy and fewer side effects, they are gaining significant attention in the pharmaceutical and food industries. However, due to the lack of a comprehensive understanding of steroidal saponins and the limited knowledge of their synthesis and regulatory mechanisms, the utilization of steroidal saponins in plants faces significant challenges. This review systematically summarizes various aspects of steroidal saponins, including their distribution in the plant kingdom, important pharmacological activities in treating chronic and critical diseases, confirmed and hypothesized synthetic pathways, and their regulatory factors in plants. A particular focus is placed on the controversial synthesis of steroidal saponins from phytosterols, highlighting the key enzymes involved in their biosynthesis, structural modifications, and the regulatory factors that influence their synthesis in plants. Our review not only elucidates the synthesis and regulation pathways of steroidal saponins and lays the foundation for heterologous total synthesis, but also guides optimizing the utilization of plant-derived steroidal saponins and enhancing production efficiency in edible and medicinal plants rich in steroidal saponins.