I want to know that either Saponins have antibacterial properties. If yes then against which bacteria or fungi. Moreover, what is its MIC and toxicity level?
The following publications describe the antibacterial activity of saponins:
1-African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 5 (23), pp. 2405-2407, 4 December 2006
Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of saponins extract of Sorghum Bicolor L. Moench
Soetan k. O. 1 *, Oyekunle M. A. 2 , Aiyelaagbe O. O. 3 and Fafunso M. A. 4
The n-butanol purified saponin extract of sorghum bicolor were screened for anti-bacterial activity against three pathogenic microbes; Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. The extract inhibited the growth of the S. aureus. It was concluded that the saponins have inhibitory effect on gram-positive organism but not on gram negative organism and the fungi.
Regarding The MIC see Table 1, page 2406.
The saponin extract inhibited the S. aureus in concentration of 50 and 25 mg/ml. The MIC of streptomycin for E. coli was 6.2 mg/ml while the MIC of penicillin for S. aureus was 25 mg/ml (Table 1). This shows that sorghum saponins have effect on Gram +ve bacteria but not on Gram –ve bacteria and fungi.
Effects of Saponins against Clinical E. coli Strains and Eukaryotic Cell Line
Michał Arabski,1 Aneta Węgierek-Ciuk,2 Grzegorz Czerwonka,1 Anna Lankoff,2,3 and Wiesław Kaca
Abstract
Saponins are detergent-like substances showing antibacterial as well as anticancer potential. In this study, the effects of saponins from Quillaja saponaria were analyzed against prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Multidrug-resistant clinical E. coli strains were isolated from human urine. As eukaryotic cells, the CHO-K1 cell lines were applied. Antibacterial effect of ampicillin, streptomycin, and ciprofloxacin in the presence of saponins was measured by cultivation methods. Properties of saponins against CHO-K1 cells were measured by the MTT test, hemolysis assay and flow cytometry. Saponin from Quillaja saponaria has a cytotoxic effect at concentrations higher than 25 μg/mL and in the range of 12–50 μg/mL significantly increases the level of early apoptotic cells. Saponin at dose of 12 μg/mL enhances the six E. coli strains growth. We postulate that saponins increase the influx of nutrients from the medium into E. coli cells. Saponins do not have synergetic effects on antibacterial action of tested antibiotics. In contrary, in the presence of saponins and antibiotics, more CFU/mL E. coli cells were observed. This effect was similar to saponins action alone towards E. coli cells. In conclusion, saponins was cytotoxic against CHO-K1 cells, whereas against E. coli cells this effect was not observed.
That may indicate a defined amount of saponins intercalating to cell wall membranes of erythrocytes needed to lyse it. To analyze the antibacterial properties of saponin, we use saponin at 12 μg/mL taking into consideration its minimal cytotoxic effect against eukaryotic cells. Saponin does not inhibites E. coli growth in minimal M9 and Luria broth. In contrary, we observed statistically significant increases in CFU/mL of six tested MDR E. coli strains in the presence of saponin at a concentration of 12 μg/mL. This effect was not observed on bacterial growth in M9 minimal medium. Our study of analysis of susceptibility of clinical E. coli strains against ampicillin, streptomycin, and ciprofloxacin in presence of saponin at a concentration of 12 μg/mL confirmed that saponins enhance bacteria growth, even in antibiotic presence.
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2012/286216/
3-Antimicrobial activity of the alkaloids and saponin extracts of Anabasis articulata
M. Benziane Maatalah1 , N. Kambuche Bouzidi1* , S. Bellahouel1 , B. Merah1 , Z. Fortas2 , R. Soulimani3 , S. Saidi1 , A. Derdour
E3 Journal of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 3(3), pp. 54-57, May 2012
The crude alkaloids and the saponin extracts of the aerial parts of Anabasis articulata were examined for antibacterial and antifungal activity in vitro using the disc diffusion method. Activity against five bacterial strains (gram positive bacteria and gram negative bacteria) and one fungal strain is discussed. Saponin extract was active against all assayed bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Klebsiella pneumonia, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 14028,) and a fungal strain (Candida albicans) with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 0.5 to 1 mg/ml. Phytochemical screening shows that this plant. is particularly rich in
alkaloids and saponins which might be responsible for its anticandidal activity.
Antimicrobial activity of saponins from Medicago sp.: structure-activity relationship.
Avato P1, Bucci R, Tava A, Vitali C, Rosato A, Bialy Z, Jurzysta M.
Author information
Abstract
The antimicrobial activity of saponins from Medicago sativa, M. arborea and M. arabica against a selection of medically important yeasts, Gram-positive and -negative bacteria was investigated. Structure-activity growth inhibitory effects of related prosapogenins and sapogenins are also described. Increasing antibiotic activity was observed going from the saponin extracts to the sapogenin samples, suggesting that the sugar moiety is not important for the antimicrobial efficacy. Activity was especially high against Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus, B. subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis) with M. arabica being the species showing a broader spectrum of action. Discrete antifungal activity was also observed, mainly against Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The observed antimicrobial properties of M. sativa and M. arborea were related to the content of medicagenic acid, while hederagenin seems to contribute to the bioactivity of M. arabica total sapogenins.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16619355
5-Antibacterial activity of saponin isolated from the leaves of Solanum trilobatum Linn
ABSTRACT
This study was designed to test the antimicrobial potential of ethanol, acetone and ethyl acetate extracts of leaves, fruitsand flowers of Solanum trilobatum and pure saponin fraction extracted from the leaves against selected bacterial strains,Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The antibacterialactivity was tested by agar disc diffusion and agar well diffusion method. The plant parts tested were extracted withethanol, acetone and ethyl acetate. Almost all the organic solvent extracts exhibited good inhibitory effect against testedbacterial pathogens. The most susceptible Gram-positive bacterial species was S. aureus, while the most susceptibleGram -negative bacteria was P. aeruginosa. Pure saponin fraction exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity when comparedto crude extracts. The antibacterial activity of extracts was found to be comparatively higher than the standardantibiotics used in this study. These results provide evidence for the antagonistic activity of steroidal saponin against testedbacterial pathogens. Further, it could be developed as a bactericidal drug to be used as therapeutic agent against bacterialinfections.
International Journal of Natural and Engineering Sciences 3 (1): 25-28, 2009
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of aqueous and solvent (ethanol, methanol, acetone and ethyl acetate) extracts and saponin fraction isolated from the leaves of Solanum xanthocarpum and Centella asiatica against selected bacterial and fungal species. The antimicrobial activity was tested by agar disc diffusion and agar well diffusion method. The aqueous, ethanol, acetone and ethyl acetate extracts of S. xanthocarpum and C. asiatica were inhibited the growth of bacterial pathogens. The most susceptible Gram -negative bacterial pathogens were Klepsella pneumoniae (20 mm) and Escherichia coli (17
mm). The saponin fraction of S. xanthocarpum and C. asiatica inhibited the growth of Gram positive bacterium S. aureus (21 mm and 22 mm). The antimicrobial activity exerted by the saponin fraction was higher than the aqueous and organic solvent extracts against tested pathogenic bacteria and fungi and standard antibiotics. Aspergillus fumigatus was more susceptible fungal pathogen than Aspergillus niger. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins; phytosterols and carbohydrates in both the plants. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the saponin fraction might be responsible for the antimicrobial potential of S. xanthocarpum and C. asiatica.
For microbial species and MIC see Table 1-3 in page 27.
Antibacterial Activity of Medicinally Important Two Species of
Allophylus- Allophylus cobbe (L.) Raeusch. and Allophylus
serratus (Roxb.) Kurz.
R. B. Chavan1*
and D. K. Gaikwad2
ISSN 2278- 4136
ZDB-Number: 2668735-5
IC Journal No: 8192
Volume 2 Issue 1
Allophylus (L.) (family Sapindaceae) has a ethnophramacological background and medicinally important genus.The two species of Allophylus- A.cobbe (L.) Raeusch. and A.serratus Roxb. (Kurz.) are used by local inhabitants in India against bone fractures, dislocations, wounds, cuts, ulcers and diarrhoea. In the present investigation, terpenoids and saponins are found accumulated in leaves of both species. A.cobbe shows higher level of terpenoids and saponins than A. serratus. Young and mature leaves of A.cobbe and A.serratus were evaluated for their antibacterial potential against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. The
aqueous and ethanolic extracts of young and mature leaves of A.cobbe and A. serratus exhibit good antibacterial potential against B.subtilis as compared to that of Cefotaxime. Thus, the leaves of A.cobbe and A. serratus may prove beneficial as a natural antibiotic against bacterial infections.
For microbial species and MIC see Tables 1-2 in pages 3-4.
Yes Saponins do have antibacterial properties. Some saponins are used to protect plants against microbes and fungi. Also, Saponins which dissolve in water are harmful to fish.
Yes Saponins do have antibacterial properties. Some saponins are used to protect plants against microbes and fungi. Also, Saponins which dissolve in water are harmful to fish.
Basically saponin exhibits antifungal activity against wide range of fungal pathogens. By contrast, the antibacterial efficacy of saponin is quite weak in comparison with other bioactive metabolites.
For nanoparticles I think you can use the saponin crude extract as coating system for silver nanoparticles and that may be effective way.