INTRODUCTION:
Soapnuts are used
medicinally as an expectorant, emetic, contraceptive, and for treatment of
excessive salivation, epilepsy, chlorosis, and migranes. Sapindus mukorossi is
a popular ingredient in Ayurvedic shampoos and cleansers. They are used in
Ayurvedic medicine for treatment of eczema, psoriasis, and for removing
freckles. Soapnuts have
gentle insecticidal properties and are traditionally used for removing lice
from the scalp.
Recently many
of the pharmacological actions of this plant have been explored which includes
the antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, insecticidal, piscidal activity. One of
the most talked activities of this plant is the contraceptive activity of the
saponins extracted from the pericarp of the fruits.
Soap nuts
contain saponin, a natural detergent. The soap nut shell absorbs water and
releases the saponins which circulate as a natural surfactant in the wash
water, freeing dirt, grime, and oils from clothing.”
CONSTITUENTS:
Seeds of Soap nuts contain 23 % oil of which 92 % is triglycerides; the
triglyceride fraction contained 30 % oleo-palmito-arachidin glyceride, 13.3 %
oleo-diarachidin glyceride and 56.7 % di-olein type glycerides such as
dioleo-palmitin, dioleo-stearin and dioleo-arachidin.
Fractionation of an ethanolic extract of the galls of Soap nuts has resulted in the isolation of two tirucallane type
triterpenoid saponins, sapinmusaponin Q and R along with three known oleanane
type triterpenoid saponins: sapindoside A, sapindoside B, and hederagenin.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES:
Insecticidal activity:
Ethanolic extract of Soap nuts was
investigated for repellency and insecticidal activity against Sitophilus
oryzae and Pediculus humanus. Average mortality percentage indicated
that the extracts caused significant mortality and repellency on the target
insects and bioassays indicated that toxic and repellent effect was proportional
to the concentration.
Spermicidal activity:
Saponin isolated from Soap nuts has potent spermicidal activity. Morphological changes
in human ejaculated spermatozoa after exposure to this saponin were evaluated
under scanning electron microscopy.
Another intimate use of soapnut is as a contraceptive cream.
It is intended for post-coital use. The cream is recommended for all women of
reproductive age group who want to space their children. It is safe and free
from systemic side effects on continuous prolonged use.
Anti-protozoal activity:
The gonotropic cycle of female Anopheles was impaired
by exposure to neem, reetha (S. mukorossi) and garlic.
Anti-inflammatory activity:
The anti-inflammatory activities of hederagenin and
crude saponin isolated from Soap nuts were investigated utilizing carrageenan-induced edema,
granuloma pouch and adjuvant arthritis in rats. The effects of these agents on
vascular permeability and acetic acid-induced writhing in mice were also
examined.
Piscicidal activity: Effects of Soap
nuts have been studied on fish.
Pericarp of Soap nuts is the most toxic parts
yielding 100% mortality rate within 12 hours and mean survival time was found
to be 1.18 hours. Soap nuts fruit pericarp can be used as a selective eradicant
for horny fish like Heteropneustes fossils and channa punctuate.
Cytotoxic activity:
In- vitro cytotoxic
activity of triterpenoid saponins from Soap nuts showed that α-hederin, β-hederin, Sapindoside A,
Sapindoside B, Sapindoside C, Sapindoside D exhibited good cytotoxic activity.
Hepatoprotective
activity:
The dried powder of Soap nuts and R. emodi was extracted successively with
petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, and ethanol and concentrated in vacuum. In-
vitro and in- vivo studies were done to prove the hepatoprotective
activity of different extracts of Soap nuts.
Anti-platelet aggregation activity:
Biological evaluation of ethanolic extract of the
galls of Soap nuts showed that
two saponins isolated, Sapinmusaponins Q and R, demonstrated more potent
anti-platelet aggregation activity than aspirin. Sapinmusaponins isolated from
the galls of S.mukorossi showed anti-platelet-aggregation effects, but no
obvious cytotoxic activity for platelets as assayed by lactate dehydrogenase
(LDH) leakage.
Anti-trichomonas activity:
Saponins concentration dependently inhibited the
ability of parasites to adhere to HeLa cells and decreased proteolytic activity
of the parasite’s cysteine proteinases. This was associated with decreased
expression of adhesin and membrane-expressed cysteine proteinase genes.
Saponins produced no adverse effect on host cells in mitochondrial reduction
potential measurement assay. Saponins also reversed the inhibitory mechanisms
exerted by Trichomonas for evading host immunity. Early response of
saponins to disrupt actin cytoskeleton in comparison with their effect on the
nucleus suggests a membrane-mediated mode of action rather than via induction
of apoptosis.
Anti-fungal
activity:
Extracts from
the dried pericarp of Sapindus saponaria L. (Sapindaceae) fruits were
investigated for their antifungal activity against clinical isolates of yeasts Candida
albicans and C. non-albicans from vaginal secretions of women with
Vulvovaginal Candidiasis. Four clinical isolates of C. albicans, a
single clinical isolated of each of the species C. parapsilosis, C.
glabrata, C. tropicalis, and the strain of C. albicans were used.
The hydroalcoholic extract was bioactivity-directed against a clinical isolate
of C. parapsilosis, and showed strong activity. The n-BuOH extract and one
fraction showed strong activity against all isolates tested.
USES OF SOAP NUTS
Dishwasher
Use soapnut liquid for washing
your glasses, dishes, cutlery and pans as usual. There are no artificial
foaming agents so there will be very few if any lasting bubbles. Alternatively,
just put 3 shells in the bottom of the cutlery holder and some vinegar in the
rinse aid dispenser and your dishes will come out sparkling clean.
Cleaning & Detoxifying food
Soak your
fruit and vegetables for approximately 10-15 minutes in the soapnut liquid.
Rinse off and enjoy this food free from harmful chemicals and residue. This soap nut solution can then
be reused for household cleaning.
Cleaning jewelry
Soap nuts are commonly used
in Indian households for cleaning and shining jewelry. Jewelry is soaked in
soap nut liquid and then rubbed with a cloth to give it a shine.
Natural pesticide
Using soap nuts is an effective
and natural alternative to repel insects off your plants and around the house.
This easily replaces chemicals. This is a great use for left over soap nut
liquid from washing or laundry.
Shampoo
Simply
use soap nut liquid in
place of your regular shampoo! Since soapnut liquid does not foam like regular
shampoo its easy to use too much liquid. If you find your hair is feeling dry
or greasy you probably used too much.
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