Optimizing the Vanillin-Acid Sulfuric Method to Total Saponin Content in Leaves of Yerba Mate Clones.

Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a forest species consumed in the form of non-alcoholic beverages in South America, with applications in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. The species leaves are globally recognized for their important bioactive compounds, including, saponins. We adjusted the vanillin-acid sulfuric method for determining spectrophotometrically the total saponin in yerba mate leaves. Seeking to maximize the extraction of saponins from leaves, a Doehlert design combined with Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used, considering ethanol:water ratios and ultrasound times. In addition, the same methodology was used for the analysis of times and temperatures in the vanillin-sulfuric acid reaction heating. The contents of total saponin in mature leaves were compared in four yerba mate clones. The extraction was maximized using 40 % ethanol:60 % water and 60 minutes of ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) without heating. For the reaction conditions, 70 °C for 10 minutes heating is recommended, and UV/Vis reading from 460 to 680 nm. Using the optimized methodology, total saponin contents ranged from 28.43 to 53.09 mg g-1 in the four yerba mate clones. The significant difference in saponin contents between clones indicate great genetic diversity and potential for clones' selection and extraction of these compounds from yerba mate leaves.

Determining Antiradical Capacity of Medicinal Plant Extract Individual Constituents Using Post-Column Reaction Method.

The post-column reaction method enables the evaluation of the antiradical capacity of individual components in a mixture by separating the components using HPLC and measuring stable free radical (e.g., DPPH●) scavenging that occurs after the chromatography column. The equipment typically consists of two detectors. The first records signals of the analytes leaving the column. The second records radical scavenging by the analytes, which appears as a negative band. The recorded signals are found on two separate chromatograms, which must be combined to interpret the results. In this study, a single DAD detector was used behind the post-column reactor, enabling the simultaneous recording of the analyte bands and negative signals, indicating radical scavenging. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antiradical capacity of key compounds found in two herbal raw materials used in traditional Chinese medicine. Saposhnikovia divaricata roots contain phenolic acids, chromones, and furanocoumarins. Chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, and imperatorin demonstrated strong radical scavenging, while prim-O-glucoslocimifugin showed a weaker response, both in standards and in root extracts. However, scavenging was not observed for cimifugin and 4'-O-ß-D-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol. Astragalus mongholicus roots contain astragalosides I-IV (triterpene saponins). None of these showed DPPH● scavenging. Furthermore, additional signals were observed, indicating the presence of unidentified radical scavenging compounds.

[Metabolite identification and metabolic pathway analysis of Platycodonis Radix extracts from Tongcheng city in rats].

In this study, we delved into the prototypical components and metabolites of Platycodonis Radix extracts(PRE) from Tongcheng city in plasma, urine and feces of rats, and revealed its metabolic pathways and metabolic rules in vivo. The prototypical components and metabolites of PRE in rats were characterized and identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and mass defect filter(MDF). The biological samples were analyzed by ACQUITY UPLC BEH C_(18)(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 µm), with 0.1% formic acid water(A)-0.1% formic acid acetonitrile(B) as mobile phase, and the biological samples were analyzed in negative ion mode by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry(ESI-MS). Twelve prototypical saponins and twenty-seven metabolites were detected in plasma, urine and feces of rats treated with PRE by oral administration. Eleven prototypical components and nine metabolites were detected in plasma, eleven prototypical components and eight metabo-lites were detected in urine, and ten prototypical components and twenty metabolites were detected in feces. Further studies showed that the metabolic pathways of PRE in rats mainly include oxidation, reduction, acetylation, stepwise hydrolytic deglycosylation, glucuronidation and so on. This study provides a scientific basis for clarifying the pharmacological basis and mechanism of PRE from Tongcheng city.

Biosynthesis and Pharmacological Activities of Flavonoids, Triterpene Saponins and Polysaccharides Derived from Astragalus membranaceus.

Astragalus membranaceus (A. membranaceus), a well-known traditional herbal medicine, has been widely used in ailments for more than 2000 years. The main bioactive compounds including flavonoids, triterpene saponins and polysaccharides obtained from A. membranaceus have shown a wide range of biological activities and pharmacological effects. These bioactive compounds have a significant role in protecting the liver, immunomodulation, anticancer, antidiabetic, antiviral, antiinflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cardiovascular activities. The flavonoids are initially synthesized through the phenylpropanoid pathway, followed by catalysis with corresponding enzymes, while the triterpenoid saponins, especially astragalosides, are synthesized through the universal upstream pathways of mevalonate (MVA) and methylerythritol phosphate (MEP), and the downstream pathway of triterpenoid skeleton formation and modification. Moreover, the Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) possesses multiple pharmacological activities. In this review, we comprehensively discussed the biosynthesis pathway of flavonoids and triterpenoid saponins, and the structural features of polysaccharides in A. membranaceus. We further systematically summarized the pharmacological effects of bioactive ingredients in A. membranaceus, which laid the foundation for the development of clinical candidate agents. Finally, we proposed potential strategies of heterologous biosynthesis to improve the industrialized production and sustainable supply of natural products with pharmacological activities from A. membranaceus, thereby providing an important guide for their future development trend.

Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents for the Extraction of Triterpene Saponins from Aralia elata var. mandshurica (Rupr. & Maxim.) J. Wen.

The roots of the medicinal plant Aralia elata are rich in biologically active natural products, with triterpene saponins constituting one of their major groups. These metabolites can be efficiently extracted by methanol and ethanol. Due to their low toxicity, natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) were recently proposed as promising alternative extractants for the isolation of natural products from medicinal plants. However, although NADES-based extraction protocols are becoming common in routine phytochemical work, their application in the isolation of triterpene saponins has not yet been addressed. Therefore, here, we address the potential of NADES in the extraction of triterpene saponins from the roots of A. elata. For this purpose, the previously reported recoveries of Araliacea triterpene saponins in extraction experiments with seven different acid-based NADES were addressed by a targeted LC-MS-based quantitative approach for, to the best of our knowledge, the first time. Thereby, 20 triterpene saponins were annotated by their exact mass and characteristic fragmentation patterns in the total root material, root bark and root core of A. elata by RP-UHPLC-ESI-QqTOF-MS, with 9 of them being identified in the roots of this plant for the first time. Triterpene saponins were successfully extracted from all tested NADES, with the highest efficiency (both in terms of the numbers and recoveries of individual analytes) achieved using a 1:1 mixture of choline chloride and malic acid, as well as a 1:3 mixture of choline chloride and lactic acid. Thereby, for 13 metabolites, NADES were more efficient extractants in comparison with water and ethanol. Our results indicate that new, efficient NADES-based extraction protocols, giving access to high recoveries of triterpene saponins, might be efficiently employed in laboratory practice. Thus, our data open the prospect of replacing alcohols with NADES in the extraction of A. elata roots.

Characterization of potentially health-promoting constituents in sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum) cultivated in the Conero Natural Park (Marche region, Central Italy).

CONTEXT: Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum L. [Apiaceae]) is an aromatic herb rich in bioactive molecules, such as polyphenols, with potential positive effects on human health. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at the characterization of sea fennel secondary metabolites, focusing on the phenolic fraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples of whole sprouts, sole leaves and sole stems were subjected to accelerated solvent extraction with methanol, and the resulting extracts were analyzed by high­performance thin­layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-HRMS). RESULTS: HPTLC and HPLC analyses of sea fennel extracts showed similar chromatographic profiles among the tested samples, and the prevalence of chlorogenic acid within the phenolic fraction was verified. Ten hydroxycinnamic acids, including neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid B, isochlorogenic acid A and isochlorogenic acid C, 11 flavonoid glycosides, e.g., rutin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, two triterpene saponins and two hydroxylated fatty acids, were detected and annotated via liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and high-resolution mass spectrometry. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The use of accelerated solvent extraction and LC-DAD-HRMS for the characterization of sea fennel secondary metabolites allowed the annotation of seven compounds newly detected in sea fennel, including triterpene saponins and hydroxylated fatty acids.

Encapsulating Calendula arvensis (Vaill.) L. Florets: UHPLC-HRMS Insights into Bioactive Compounds Preservation and Oral Bioaccessibility.

Wild edible plants, once consumed in times of famine or for health purposes, today represent an interesting dietary supplement, aimed at enriching local dishes and/or formulating healthy nutraceutical products. In fact, the broad content of different, and diversely bioactive, specialized metabolites therein suggests new scenarios of use which, in order to be as functional as possible, must maximize the bioactivity of these compounds while preserving their chemistry. In this context, based on a recent investigation on the metabolic profile of the organs of Calendula arvensis that highlighted that florets are abundant in flavonol glycosides and triterpene saponins, the freeze-drying encapsulation of their alcoholic extract (FE) into maltodextrin (MD) was investigated. FE-MD chemical composition was evaluated using Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FTIR), while ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS) techniques were employed to unravel FE compound preservation also during in vitro simulated digestion. The establishment of H-bonds between FE compounds and MD hydroxyl groups was in line with FE-MD biocompatibility in Caco-2 cells, while in vitro digestion mostly affected structural integrity and/or diversity. Flavonol compounds underwent deglycosylation and demethylation, while deacylation, beyond oxidation, involved triterpene saponins, which massively preserve their aglycone core.

Mass spectrometry as a tool for the dereplication of saponins from Ampelozizyphus amazonicus Ducke bark and wood.

INTRODUCTION: Mass spectrometry in natural products research has been used as a first step to identify possible chemical structures and to guide subsequent efforts to isolate novel compounds. Preparations of Ampelozizyphus amazonicus Ducke (AA) are known for their high content of saponins, especially dammarane-type triterpenoid aglycones. In the Amazon, where it is known as "saracura-mirá", roots and bark are widely used for the treatment and prevention of malaria, while the wood is discarded. The extract prepared from the wood is also saponin-rich, but its exact chemical composition has not been described. OBJECTIVE: This study provides information on the chemical profiling and tentative structural identification of the major compounds (saponins) present in aqueous and ethanol extracts of bark and wood of AA by mass spectrometry. METHODS: The strategy used to identify compounds present in all samples was ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with an ultraviolet detector coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-UV-MS/MS) for the analysis of fragmentation patterns through product ion scan using MZmine 2 software. Also, direct sample injection and electrospray ionisation combined with high-resolution mass spectrometry (DI-ESI-HRMS) measurements were performed. RESULTS: The extracts showed chemical similarity, and 95 saponins were tentatively identified in AA wood and bark, including 73 which are described for the first time as tentative structures for this plant species. CONCLUSION: This research describes a useful method for the fast and simultaneous tentative identification of major saponins in AA, contributing to the study of the chemical properties of this genus and family. Furthermore, it demonstrates the importance of the qualitative dereplication process, allowing a straightforward way to propose the tentative identification of compounds.

Structural characterisation and screening of triterpene saponins in the bark of Ilex rotunda using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

INTRODUCTION: The bark of Ilex rotunda (BIr) has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for a long time in China. Triterpene saponins (TSs) were considered to be the major bioactive ingredients and possessed antiplatelet aggregation activity. Identification of TSs in BIr is a necessary step to understand the biological properties. OBJECTIVE: This article describes a method for the rapid identification of TSs in BIr. METHOD: An analytical method based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation and quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS) was established to characterise the TSs in BIr. Chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent poroshell 120 EC-C18 column with gradient elution using water containing 0.1% (v/v) formic acid and acetonitrile as the mobile phase. RESULTS: A total of 26 TSs were identified or tentatively identified from BIr. Of them, 23 TSs were first reported from BIr. CONCLUSION: This was the first comprehensive investigation on TSs in BIr, and the results formed the foundation for the further development and utilisation of BIr in the future.

[Content changes of triterpene saponins in crude and sweated Dipsacus asper:an iTRAQ-based analysis].

The present study aimed to explore the mechanism of the sweating of Dipsacus asper on content changes of triterpene sa-ponins by detecting the total triterpene saponins and the index component asperosaponin Ⅵ in the crude and sweated D. asper, and analyzing the differentially expressed proteins by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification(iTRAQ) combined with LC-MS/MS. After sweating, the content of total triterpene saponins decreased manifestly, while that of asperosaponin Ⅵ increased significantly. As revealed by the iTRAQ-LC-MS/MS analysis, 140 proteins with significant differential expression were figured out, with 50 up-regulated and 90 down-regulated. GO analysis indicated a variety of hydrolases, oxido-reductases, and transferases in the differential proteins. The results of activity test on two differentially expressed oxido-reductases were consistent with those of the iTRAQ-LC-MS/MS analysis. As demonstrated by the analysis of enzymes related to the triterpene saponin biosynthesis pathway, two enzymes(from CYP450 and UGT families, respectively, which are involved in the structural modification of triterpene saponins) were significantly down-regulated after sweating. The findings suggested that sweating of D. asper presumedly regulated triterpene saponins by affecting the expression of downstream CYP450 s and UGTs in the biosynthesis pathway of triterpene saponins of D. asper.

Novel cucurbitane-type triterpene saponins from Hemsleya amabilis.

The rhizomes of the medicinal plant Hemsleya amabilis (Cucurbitaceae) yielded three new cucurbitane-type triterpene saponins xuedanosides K-M (1-3) by silica gel column, ODS column, and pre-HPLC techniques. The structure was determined by spectroscopic analysis and examined alongside existing data from prior studies. Compounds 1-3 were evaluated for cytotoxic activity against HeLa and HCT-8 human cancer cell lines and showed significant cytotoxicity with IC50 values of 2.01-14.56 and 8.94-27.48 µM, respectively.

Review of Constituents and Biological Activities of Triterpene Saponins from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Its Solubilization Characteristics.

Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma is regarded as one of the most popular and commonly used herbal medicines and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions for over 2000 years. Pentacyclic triterpene saponins are common secondary metabolites in these plants, which are synthesized via the isoprenoid pathway to produce a hydrophobic triterpenoid aglycone containing a hydrophilic sugar chain. This paper systematically summarizes the chemical structures of triterpene saponins in Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and reviews and updates their main biological activities studies. Furthermore, the solubilization characteristics, influences, and mechanisms of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma are elaborated. Solubilization of the triterpene saponins from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma occurs because they contain the nonpolar sapogenin and water-soluble sidechain. The possible factors affecting the solubilization of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma are mainly other crude drugs and the pH of the decoction. Triterpene saponins represented by glycyrrhizin from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma characteristically form micelles due to amphiphilicity, which makes solubilization possible. This overview provides guidance regarding a better understanding of GlycyrrhizaeRadix et Rhizoma and its TCM compatibility, alongside a theoretical basis for the further development and utilization of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma.

Transcriptome analysis of 1- and 3-year-old Panax notoginseng roots and functional characterization of saponin biosynthetic genes DS and CYP716A47-like.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Transcriptome analysis revealed high expression of saponin biosynthetic genes may account for highly accumulated saponins in 3-year-old Panax notoginseng roots and DS and CYP716A47 - like were functionally verified by transgenic tobacco. Panax notoginseng is a well-known traditional medical herb that contains bioactive compounds known as saponins. Three major dammarene-type triterpene saponins including R1, Rb1, and Rg1 were found to be highly accumulated in the roots of 3-year-old plants when compared to those of 1-year-old plants. However, the underlying cellular mechanism is poorly understood. In this study, transcriptome analysis revealed that most genes involved in saponin biosynthesis in P. notoginseng roots augmented during their growth periods. The analysis of the KEGG pathway indicated that the primary metabolism, cell growth, and differentiation were less active in the roots of 3-year-old plant; however, secondary metabolisms were enhanced, thus providing molecular evidence for the harvesting of P. notoginseng roots in the 3rd year of growth. Furthermore, the functional role of DS and CYP716A47-like, two of the candidate genes involved in saponin biosynthesis isolated from P. notoginseng, were verified via overexpression in cultivated tobacco. Approximately, 0.325 µg g-1 of dammarenediol-II and 0.320 µg g-1 of protopanaxadiol were recorded in the dry leaves of transgenic tobacco overexpressed with DS and both DS and CYP716A47-like, respectively. This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms for saponin accumulation in P. notoginseng roots during its growth period and paves a promising way to produce dammarenediol-II and protopanaxadiol via transgenic techniques.

Bioactive triterpene glycosides from the fruit of Stauntonia hexaphylla and insights into the molecular mechanism of its inflammatory effects.

Chromatography of the ethanol extract of the medicinal fruit Stauntonia hexaphylla resulted in the purification of 26 compounds (1-26), including two undescribed triterpene saponins 1 and 2 (hexaphylosides A and B). Their structures were confirmed by spectroscopic data, including IR, HR QTOF MS, 1H, 13C NMR, COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and TOCSY, and HPLC sugar analysis after acid hydrolysis. The anti-inflammatory effects of the high-purity constituents (1-26) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells were investigated by screening nitric oxide production. The NO inhibitory activity of compounds 6 and 10 with the IC50 values of 1.33 and 1.10 µM, respectively. The structure-activity relationships (SAR) of the isolated compounds were also analyzed. Furthermore, compounds 6 and 10 inhibited the protein expression inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 via Western blotting analysis. This showed that compounds 6 and 10 contributed to the anti-inflammatory effects of S. hexaphylla fruit, which could be developed as a natural nutraceutical and functional food ingredient.

Saponins as chemosensitizing substances that improve effectiveness and selectivity of anticancer drug-Minireview of in vitro studies.

Triterpene saponins (saponosides) are found in higher plants and display a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities. The antitumor effects of saponins have been proved by their cytotoxic, cytostatic, proapoptotic, and anti-invasive effects in many cellular models. Saponins hold great potential for being developed into chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic drugs. A promising way of reducing the adverse effects of chemotherapy without attenuating its efficiency is provided by the combined application of chemotherapeutic agents and saponosides in subtoxic concentrations. Until recently, saponosides were primarily used as adjuvants that enhance the effect of vaccines. In cancer therapy, saponins are applied in combination with immunotoxins because they increase the selectivity of given immunotoxins against cancer cells and therefore inure normal cells to the cytotoxic effects of immunotoxins. Significantly, certain saponins have been identified that drastically enhance the efficacy of many chemotherapeutic agents, including cisplatin, paclitaxel, doxorubicin, docetaxel, mitoxantrone, and cyclophosphamide. Moreover, saponins used in combination therapy enhance the sensitivity of chemoresistant tumor cells to clinically used chemotherapeutic agents. This review sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer co-treatment with saponins and chemotherapy, with a particular focus on modulation of the cell signaling pathways associated with the promotion and progression of cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis.

Platycosides P and Q, two new triterpene saponins from Platycodon grandiflorum.

The EtOH extract of the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum afforded two new triterpene saponins platycoside P (1) and platycoside Q (2). Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic means and hydrolysis products. These compounds were evaluated for inhibitory activity against LPS-induced TNF-α production in RAW 246.7 macrophages. Compounds 1 and 2 showed inhibitory activity with the inhibition ratios (%) of 38.6 and 44.1 at 50 µM, respectively.

Rapid Characterization of Triterpene Saponins from Zornia brasiliensis by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS.

Zornia brasiliensis Vogel (Leguminosae) is a species popularly known in Brazil as "urinária", "urinana", and "carrapicho", it is popularly used as a diuretic and in the treatment of venereal diseases. A specific methodology to obtain a saponin-enriched fraction and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection, ion trap mass spectrometry, and TOF-MS (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS) was applied for the analysis of triterpene saponins. The MS and MS/MS experiments were carried out by ionization in negative mode. Molecular mass and fragmentation data were used to support the structural characterization of the saponins. Based on retention times, high-resolution mass determination and fragmentation, 35 oleanane-triterpene saponins were tentatively identified in Z. brasiliensis.

[Triterpene saponins in Panax japonicus and their ~(13)C-NMR spectroscopic characteristics].

Panax japonicus( PJ) is a valuable medicinal plant belonging to the genus Panax of Araliaceae,the recumbent rhizome of which is widely used in clinic therapy,healthcare products and as cosmetic additives with functions of dissipating stasis,reducing swelling,stanching bleeding,and reinforcing deficiency,etc. PJ contains abundant levels of oleanane-and dammarane-type triterpene saponins,which are considered as the material basis for exerting pharmacodynamic action. Based on the previous researches,more than110 triterpene saponins have been reported from PJ. These triterpene saponins were summarized in this review,and could be classified into dammarenediol Ⅱ,protopanaxadiol,protopanaxatiol,ocotillol,oleanolic acid,ursolic acid and miscellaneous subtypes,according to their molecular skeletons in biosynthesis processes. Further more,the structural features of these triterpene saponins in the seven different subtypes,together with their~(13)C-NMR spectroscopic characteristics were described,hoping to provide available information for chemical diversity research of PJ.

[Study of heterologous efficient synthesis of ß-amyrin and high-density fermentation].

In this study, the synthetic pathway of ß-amyrin was constructed in the pre-constructed Saccharomyces cerevisiae chassis strain Y0 by introducing ß-amyrin synthase from Glycyrrhiza uralensis, resulting strain Y1-C20-6, which successfully produced ß-amyrin up to 5.97 mg·L~(-1). Then, the mevalonate pyrophosphate decarboxylase gene(ERG19), mevalonate kinase gene(ERG12), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase gene(ERG13), phosphomevalonate kinase gene(ERG8) and IPP isomerase gene(IDI1)were overexpressed to promoted the metabolic fluxto the direction of ß-amyrin synthesis for further improving ß-amyrin production, resulting the strain Y2-C2-4 which produced ß-amyrin of 10.3 mg·L~(-1)under the shake flask fermentation condition. This is 100% higher than that of strain Y1-C20-6, illustrating the positive effect of the metabolic engineering strategy applied in this study. The titer of ß-amyrin was further improved up to 157.4 mg·L~(-1) in the fed-batch fermentation, which was almost 26 fold of that produced by strain Y1-C20-6. This study not only laid the foundation for the biosynthesis of ß-amyrin but also provided a favorable chassis strain for elucidation of cytochrome oxidases and glycosyltransferases of ß-amyrin-based triterpenoids.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of total saponins from Stauntonia chinensis in diabetic db/db mice.

Stauntonia chinensis DC. has been utilised as a traditional herbal medicine for its anti-hyperglycemic characteristic, which has been associated with triterpene saponins. The goal of the current evaluation was to examine hypoglycemic activity and affiliated mechanism of total saponins from S. chinensis. The chemical composition was analysed by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, insulin tolerance test, insulin and glycogen levels of type 2 diabetic db/db mice administered total saponins were quantified to determine the hypoglycemic effects. The serum lipid profiles were assessed to determine the hypolipidemic effects. Western blotting was used to quantify the protein levels of insulin receptor substrates (IRS)-1/PI3K/AKT, AMPK/ACC and GLUT4. Twenty triterpene saponins were identified from the total saponins, which exhibited hypoglycemic activities and modulated hyperlipidemia that was associated with type 2 diabetes. The hypoglycemic effects were partly due to the activation of GLUT4, which is regulated by IRS-1/PI3K/AKT. The activation of the AMPK/ACC signalling pathway may be responsible for the hypolipidemic activity. This study revealed that total saponins from S. chinensis have significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity in diabetic db/db mice, indicating that these may be utilised in the development of saponins based on S. chinensis for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.