Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn is a small deciduous tree of the Sapindaceae family. It is widely distributed in Southeast Asian countries, Japan, Taiwan and the south of the Huai River, and has a very wide range of utilization values.
The fruit of Sapindus japonica has important value. The saponins and aglycones contained in the peel have strong non-ionic surface activity. They are excellent natural detergents and can be used to wash delicate fabrics such as silk and jewelry, etc.; In industry, it can also be used to make toothpaste, shampoo, soap, sterilization and insecticides, etc. In addition, it can also relieve cough, reduce phlegm, treat fever, etc. It also has a variety of biological activities, such as anti-microbial, anti-tumor , anti-platelet aggregation, anti-pain and anti-inflammatory. The seed kernel of Sapindus japonica has a high oil content and is a new type of raw material for biodiesel production.
Anti-tumor effect: Japanese scholar Nagao Changtsu found that the methanol solution of Sapindus sapindis extract has inhibitory effect on the proliferation of B16F10 (mouse melanoma), HeLa, and MK-1 (human gastric cancer) cells, and the active part is concentrated in single cells. Among the saponin components, the bis-saponin component is completely inactive. The study by HUANG et al. also showed that Sapindus saponin is cytotoxic to some human tumor cells.
2. Antihypertensive effect: Wang Weisheng and other studies have found that Sapindus saponin has antihypertensive effect on renal hypertensive rats, and can reduce angiotensin II, endothelin, and increase nitric oxide. Studies by Long Zijiang and others have also shown that Sapindus sapindis has an antihypertensive effect on essential hypertensive rats, and its mechanism of action may be related to the changes in the renin-angiotensin system and vascular endothelial function.
3. Antibacterial effect: British scholar TAMURA et al studied the anti-dermatophyte activity and structure-activity relationship of saponins in Sapindus japonica peels, and found that the saponin mixture (including single-chain and double-chain) was mixed with 70% and 85% methanol eluents. glycoside, SP-mix) has significant anti-dermatophyte effect, among which the single-chain glycoside has a stronger inhibitory effect. In addition, SP-mix has a strong inhibitory effect on yeast, and it is ineffective against general fungi except for microscopic hair fungi; SP-mix has a moderate inhibitory effect on gram-positive bacteria, but is ineffective against gram-negative bacteria. Fu Yong et al. used Candida albicans experiments to prove that the 70% ethanol eluate of Sapindus sapindis extract was also enriched with antibacterial active sites.
4. Anti-inflammatory effect: Experiments such as anti-ulcer MEYER have proved that the oral administration of Sapindus japonica extract has anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer effects. IBRAHIM et al also reported that the ethanol extract of Sapindus japonica has a significant inhibitory effect on Helicobacter pylori in vitro and in vivo, and does not produce drug resistance.
5. Other pharmacological effects: Sapindus saponin also has the functions of protecting liver, protecting myocardial ischemia, preventing thrombosis, and killing sperm. Therefore, in the development and treatment of tumors, cardiovascular diseases, skin diseases, ulcer diseases, etc., the extract of Sapindus japonica has great potential value.
