A comprehensive study of the sources, extraction methods and structures of the Saponin compounds for its antidiabetic activity

Diabetes mellitus is the most chronic endocrine disease characterized by the high level of glucose in the body due to the complete inhibition or low level of insulin. To control the level of glucose, saponin compounds are used which are very complex class of small organic compounds found in the many plant classes and are the main bioactive substance possessing the antidiabetic activity. The structure of saponin consists of both hydrophobic (triterpenoid or steroid) and hydrophilic (sugar) part. There are many plant sources of saponin compound but the most prominent source is panax notoginseng because the saponin extracted from this plant shows the remarkable antidiabetic activity. After extraction, the saponin compound is examined by the different techniques such as HPLC & MS. Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) are the kind of complex chemical mixture comprising of different dammarane type of saponins. Many latest studies on the panax notoginseng saponin reveals that saponin has a major role in decreasing the blood glucose level by activating the beta cells of pancreas (Langerhans). Some researches reveal that saponin compounds lower glucose level in KK- Ay mice and other living organism. Therefore, it is considered that saponin is most bioactive compound which can be used throughout the world to control diabetes mellitus.