Asteroid Saponins: A Review of Their Bioactivity and Selective Cytotoxicity

Stuart J Smith; Tianfang Wang; Scott F Cummins

doi:10.3390/md22120552

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Asteroid Saponins: A Review of Their Bioactivity and Selective Cytotoxicity

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Asteroid Saponins: A Review of Their Bioactivity and Selective Cytotoxicity

Stuart J Smith, Tianfang Wang and Scott F Cummins

Marine Drugs, Vol.22(12), pp.1-19

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/md22120552

PMCID: PMC11679803

PMID: 39728127

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Abstract

asteroids

bioactivity

natural products

saponins

Saponins are a diverse class of secondary metabolites that are often reported to exhibit a variety of pharmacological applications. While research into the elucidation and application of plant and class Holothuroidea-derived saponins (i.e., sea cucumbers) is extensive, the class Asteroidea-derived saponins (i.e., seastars) have been largely overlooked and primarily limited to elucidation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the cytotoxic activities of asteroid-derived saponins against various cell cultures, for instance, mammalian erythrocytes, multiple microbial strains and cancer cell lines, including melanoma, breast, colon, and lung cancers. Highlighting the distinct structural variations in these saponins, this review examines their selective cytotoxicity and potency, with many demonstrating IC values in the low micromolar range. Specific compounds, such as asterosaponins and polyhydroxylated saponins, exhibit noteworthy effects, particularly against melanoma and lung carcinoma cells, while triterpenoid saponins were found to be highly cytotoxic to both erythrocytes and fungal cells. This review also addresses gaps in the research area, including the need for additional in vitro antimicrobial studies, in vivo studies, and further exploration of their mechanisms of action. By consolidating recent findings, we have shed light on the therapeutic potential of asteroid-derived steroidal saponins in developing novel antimicrobial and anticancer agents.

Details

Title: Asteroid Saponins: A Review of Their Bioactivity and Selective Cytotoxicity
Authors: Stuart J Smith - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Tianfang Wang - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for Bioinnovation
Scott F Cummins (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for Bioinnovation
Publication details: Marine Drugs, Vol.22(12), pp.1-19
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date published: 2024
DOI: 10.3390/md22120552
ISSN: 1660-3397
PMID: 39728127; PMC11679803
Copyright note: © 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Grant note: S.J.S. gratefully acknowledges the support of the Australian Postgraduate Award scholarship.
Organisation Unit: School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991091094102621
Output Type: Journal article

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