Recent developments of soyasaponins from soy (Glycine Max (L.)) bioactivity in cell models

Abstract

Soy bean (Glycine max (L.)) contains a class of phytochemicals known as soyasaponins which are oleanane triterpenoids. These molecules are diverse, structurally complex and can be classified into two main categories based on their respective soyasapogenols or aglycones. The two main groups of soyasaponins are group A and group B. In terms of biological activity far more in known about group B soyasaponins compared to group A. At the center of the biological activity of these molecules is cytotoxicity leading to apoptosis induction in cultured cancer cell models and it is this ability that has highlighted soy bean possible chemo-preventative properties. In this review the recent literature will be reviewed focusing on both group A and group B soyasaponins on reducing the cultured cancer cell growth and inducing apoptosis in various cancer cell lines. A probably structure function relationship between soyasaponins and cytotoxicity is emerging with the aglycones of both groups being the most cytotoxic than their related glycosides. Recently, soy bean (Glycine max (L.)) extracts are under intensive study because of their potential beneficial health effects. Soyasaponins are oleanane triterpenoids and are one of main biological active components in soy bean. Studies indicate that soyasaponins can alter enzyme activities, lower cholesterol, interact with bile acids, and are chemo-preventative [1-3]. The biological activity of soyasaponins largely depends on their respective chemical structures as well as their polarity, acidity and hydrophobicity [3, 4]. Soyasaponins are classified in two groups, A and B, based on their respective soyasapogenols or aglycones [3]. Both bidesmosidic soyasaponin group A and monodesmosidic soyasaponin group B have varied biological activities. However, the exact mechanism of action and proof of a structure-function relationship of soyasaponins is still ongoing. In this review the reported biological activities of soyasaponins based on their structures classification and plausible mechanism of action will be reviewed. © 2012 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.