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Saponins are natural surfactant compounds whose aqueous solutions can form stable foam and micellar solutions. Gypsophila arrostii Guss., Caryophyllaceae, represents the main source of saponins for industrial applications, such as vaccine adjuvants. Due to the complex and amphiphilic nature of triterpene saponins, these compounds require sophisticated techniques for their isolation and characterization. The hydromethanolic saponin fractions from the roots of the analyzed plant material were investigated by electrospray ionization ion trap multiple-stage mass spectrometry (ESI-IT-MS) in negative mode. According to the m/z values for the deprotonated molecule [M-H]− and the characteristic product ions, four known Gypsophila-type saponins were successfully characterized. In addition, four undescribed saponin compounds were detected by the registered ions [M-H]−.

Immunoadjuvants have major effects on the immune responses in vaccine formulations. Many specific adjuvants have been studied, including mineral salts, emulsions, cytokines, non-ionic block copolymers, carbohydrate polymers, muramyl dipeptides, and saponin-based adjuvants. Here, we focus on quillaic acid–containing saponin-based adjuvants and their mechanisms of action. Interestingly, when analyzing the adjuvants capable of forming immune-stimulating complexes, one of the characteristics shared by the majority of them is the presence of quillaic acid as the aglycone. This suggests that quillaic acid might be a strategic molecule for immunoadjuvant activity and a powerful candidate in the development of novel adjuvants.

Saponins are commonly found in higher plant parts, particularly in roots, tubers, leaves, and seeds, but N-triterpene saponins are rarely found in nature. Here, we focus on molecular structures and anticancer properties particularly in synergistic effects of toxicity, ion channel inhibitory, and opioid receptor modulatory effects of N-triterpene saponins.