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A review: structure–activity relationship between saponins and cellular immunity

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Abstract

Saponins, which exhibit many different biological and pharmacological activities, are present in a wide range of plant species and in some marine organisms. Notably, the researchers have found that saponins can activate the immune system in mammals. The strength of this function is closely related to the chemical structure of saponins. The present study of the structure–activity relationship suggests that aglycones, glycochains on aglycones and special functional groups of saponins affect the immune activity of saponins. This paper reviews the effects of different saponins on cellular immunity. As well as the structure–activity relationship of saponins. It is hoped that the information integrated in this paper will provide readers with information on the effects of saponins on cellular immunity and promote the further study of these compounds.

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Funding

Supported by Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation, China (Grant No. ZR2020MH370). Major Science and Technology Innovation in Shandong Province (Grant No. 2017CXGC1307). Ji’nan Science and Technology Project (Grant No. 201303055). Key Laboratory of Classical Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education. Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Basic research and Traditional Chinese Medicine Resources and Utilization Innovation Team.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, People’s Republic of China

    Xuetao Cui, Xumin Ma & Chunchao Han

  2. Department of Radiology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China

    Chunhai Li & Hong Meng

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  1. Xuetao Cui
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  2. Xumin Ma
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  3. Chunhai Li
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  4. Hong Meng
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  5. Chunchao Han
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Correspondence to Chunchao Han.

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Cui, X., Ma, X., Li, C. et al. A review: structure–activity relationship between saponins and cellular immunity. Mol Biol Rep 50, 2779–2793 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-022-08233-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-022-08233-z

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