This is a review of the current knowledge about triterpene and steroid saponins from plants. In its more than 500 pages, it includes occurrence and distribution, structural data, chemical, pharmacological, and biological properties, and analytical and preparative techniques for the characterization of the saponins as well as applications in medicine. It is the first of its kind. It is intended to update available comprehensive information on saponins, based on the many dramatic advances in isolation and structure elucidation techniques of the past years. The book covers the entire field of research and application for this extraordinary class of plant products. As such, it is best suited to introduce the reader into the exciting possibilities for the application of plant products in modern medicine. The publication is targeted to inform the experienced biomedical and pharmaceutical researcher, the interested clinician, and commercial producers of saponins and saponin-related drugs. The authors are established researchers in the field, and their experience is very well documented in the book. The authors have done outstanding reference work. The book contains about 1800 literature citations, an index with about 400 plant names, and an appendix with a cross-reference list of about 680 saponin-producing plants. In addition, provided are literature and an appendix with more than 600 saponins listed with structural details and plant origin. This information plus the literature form a solid backbone of pure data information, coupled with a meticulous presentation of the chemistry and biology of the saponins. The book is highly recommended for any pharmaceutical, biomedical, and clinicallibrary as well as the individual researcher in plant pharmacology. Aside from its obvious qualities as a research document, it gives a perfect example of how well a rational scientific approach can serve to overcome the sometimes existing barriers between the applicants of alternative medicine and the established school medicine.
Reviewer: Juergen Mollenhauer, PhD, DSc (Rush Medical College of Rush University)
Description: This is a review of the current knowledge about triterpene and steroid saponins from plants. In its more than 500 pages, it includes occurrence and distribution, structural data, chemical, pharmacological, and biological properties, and analytical and preparative techniques for the characterization of the saponins as well as applications in medicine. It is the first of its kind.
Purpose: It is intended to update available comprehensive information on saponins, based on the many dramatic advances in isolation and structure elucidation techniques of the past years. The book covers the entire field of research and application for this extraordinary class of plant products. As such, it is best suited to introduce the reader into the exciting possibilities for the application of plant products in modern medicine.
Audience: The publication is targeted to inform the experienced biomedical and pharmaceutical researcher, the interested clinician, and commercial producers of saponins and saponin-related drugs. The authors are established researchers in the field, and their experience is very well documented in the book.
Features: The authors have done outstanding reference work. The book contains about 1800 literature citations, an index with about 400 plant names, and an appendix with a cross-reference list of about 680 saponin-producing plants. In addition, provided are literature and an appendix with more than 600 saponins listed with structural details and plant origin. This information plus the literature form a solid backbone of pure data information, coupled with a meticulous presentation of the chemistry and biology of the saponins.
Assessment: The book is highly recommended for any pharmaceutical, biomedical, and clinical library as well as the individual researcher in plant pharmacology. Aside from its obvious qualities as a research document, it gives a perfect example of how well a rational scientific approach can serve to overcome the sometimes existing barriers between the applicants of "alternative medicine" and the established school medicine.
"...the first of its kind...The authors have done outstanding reference work...highly recommended for any pharmaceutical, biomedical, and clinical library as well as the individual researcher in plant pharmacology...gives a perfect example of how well a rational scientific approach can serve to overcome the sometimes exisiting barriers between the applicants of 'alternative medicine' and the established school medicine." Juergen Mollenhauer. Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Journal
"...a comprehensive, up-to-date, and timely review of saponins....This authoritative book contains the structures of over 1300 saponins and provides over 1800 references and is thus an excellent source of information for those interested in the biological and pharmacological properties of natural products and an indispensable reference and guide to researchers active in the saponin, steroid, and triterpeniod fields." John A. Findlay, Journal of Natural Products
"This comprehensive monograph is an authoritative, well-written, and up-to-date volume which contains much chemistry and biological activity of saponins. The careful organization, systematic approach, and comprehensiveness of the volume make it a valuable resource for both scientists in industrial organizations, graduate students, and faculty members in the agricultural, biological, chemical, and medical sciences....I found this book a pleasure to read, and I believe it would be an asset to the young scientists and the established investigators who are interested in natural products, as well as creating interest in the complex field of saponin chemistry and biology." George R. Waller, Journal of the American Chemical Society
