2.8.2 Pentacyclic Triterpenoid Saponins
This particular class of saponin essentially contains the sapogenin component with pentacyclic triterpenoid nueleus, that is eventually linked with either sugars or uronic acids. It is pertinent to mention here that the sapogenin may be further classified into three major categories namely: α-Amyrin, β-Amyrin and Lupeol.
Interestingly, the most important derivative of this specific class of saponins is the triterpenoid acids that are present in different drugs. The general structure of the tritenpenoid acid is given below and a few commonly found such acids are summarized herewith:
The typical examples of some naturally occurring plants containing the pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins shall be described in the sections that follow.
Triterpenoid Acids in Plants
