Quantitative Changes and Transformation Mechanisms of Saponin Components in Chinese Herbal Medicines during Storage and Processing: A Review

Saponins are an important class of active components in Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs), which are present in large quantities in Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Polygonati Rhizoma, etc., and have immune regulation, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-cardiovascular disease, and hypoglycemic activities. Storage and processing are essential processes in the production process of CHMs which affect the stability of saponin components and then reduce the medicinal and economic value. Therefore, it is of great importance to investigate the effects of storage and processing conditions on the content of saponin components in CHMs. In this paper, the effects of various storage and processing factors, including temperature, pH, enzymes, meta lions, extraction methods, etc., on the saponin content of CHMs are investigated and the underlying mechanisms for the quantitative changes of saponin are summarized. These findings may provide technical guidance for the production and processing of saponin-rich CHMs.