一种从植物中提取的结构复杂的糖苷。有辛苦焦味。味微甜后苦。有吸湿性。溶于水和热水中溶解度可因加入少量碱而降低。糖苷广泛分布于植物中。 可形成水包油乳液并起到保护胶体的作用的非离子表面活性剂。用于通过火焰原子吸收分光光度法对牛奶中金属的直接测定。 还可用于细胞膜的通透化及低分子量污染物的分离，并作为疫苗开发中的佐剂。 Saponin is a secondary metabolite that facilitates the penetration of proteins through the cell membrane. Studies indicate that saponins are amphipathic glycosides, which can act as hemolytic agents. Research indicates that Saponin displays antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities, which may be due to its nonglycosidic moiety, sapogenin. Saponin can also be used in environmental research to recover chromium and other metals from sludge samples. Additional studies indicate that Saponin is useful in immunoassays since it can stimulate the Th1 immune response and the production of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes in response to exogenous antigens.