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      The biological action of saponins in animal systems: a review.

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          Abstract

          Saponins are steroid or triterpenoid glycosides, common in a large number of plants and plant products that are important in human and animal nutrition. Several biological effects have been ascribed to saponins. Extensive research has been carried out into the membrane-permeabilising, immunostimulant, hypocholesterolaemic and anticarcinogenic properties of saponins and they have also been found to significantly affect growth, feed intake and reproduction in animals. These structurally diverse compounds have also been observed to kill protozoans and molluscs, to be antioxidants, to impair the digestion of protein and the uptake of vitamins and minerals in the gut, to cause hypoglycaemia, and to act as antifungal and antiviral agents. These compounds can thus affect animals in a host of different ways both positive and negative.

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          Author and article information

          Journal
          Br J Nutr
          The British journal of nutrition
          CABI Publishing
          0007-1145
          0007-1145
          Dec 2002
          : 88
          : 6
          Affiliations
          [1 ] Department of Aquaculture Systems and Animal Nutrition, Institute for Animal Production in the Tropics and Subtropics, University of Hohenheim (480), D 70593 Stuttgart, Germany.
          Article
          S0007114502002349
          10.1079/BJN2002725
          12493081
          6290aa23-af73-4530-b7d9-6049178e5a7b
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