Interaction of saponins with cholesterol, lecithin, and albumin

Abstract

Fifteen saponins and six sapogenins were tested for their reaction to cholesterol, lecithin, and albumin. All compounds formed a complex with cholesterol, but not with lecithin or albumin. The prevention of saponin-induced hemolysis by bovine serum appeared to be correlated with its content of free cholesterol. Active saponins had a high affinity for cholesterol, which was not observed with hemolytically inactive compounds. According to these results, the sterols located in the cell membranes appear to be the site for the membranolytic action of saponins.