Scientists reviewed research on special plant compounds called saponins found in ginseng, solomonseal, and balloon flower. These compounds appear to have multiple ways of fighting aging in your body. They work by reducing harmful inflammation, protecting your cells from damage, keeping your skin healthy, and supporting your brain function. While these findings are promising based on laboratory and animal studies, most research hasn’t yet been tested in large groups of people. The compounds are already being sold in supplements and wellness products, but more human studies are needed to prove they actually work for anti-aging.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How plant compounds called saponins might slow down aging and prevent age-related diseases by looking at all available research on this topic
  • Who participated: This was a review of existing studies, not a new experiment with people. Researchers looked at laboratory studies and animal research on saponins from three main plants: ginseng, solomonseal, and balloon flower
  • Key finding: Saponins appear to fight aging through at least 10 different mechanisms in your body, including reducing inflammation, protecting cells from damage, and supporting healthy skin and brain function
  • What it means for you: While these compounds show promise in laboratory settings, most evidence comes from test tubes and animal studies rather than human trials. Saponin supplements exist, but you should talk to your doctor before using them, as we need more human research to confirm they actually work for anti-aging

The Research Details

This was a systematic review, which means researchers searched through many published studies about saponins and aging to summarize what scientists have learned so far. They looked at how these plant compounds work at the molecular level—essentially how they interact with your cells and genes. The researchers examined studies from different sources including laboratory experiments with cells and tissues, animal studies, and some early human research. They organized their findings by looking at the different ways saponins appear to fight aging, such as by reducing inflammation, protecting against oxidative stress (cellular damage), and supporting skin health. This type of review helps scientists understand the big picture of what we know about a topic before doing expensive human trials.

A systematic review is important because it combines knowledge from many different studies rather than relying on just one experiment. This approach helps identify patterns and common findings across research. However, systematic reviews can only tell us what other scientists have discovered—they don’t create new evidence themselves. This review is valuable for understanding the potential of saponins, but it also highlights that most current evidence comes from laboratory work rather than human studies, which is why more research is needed.

This review was published in a well-respected scientific journal focused on food and agriculture chemistry. The strength of this review depends on the quality of the studies it examined. Since most evidence comes from laboratory and animal studies rather than human trials, the findings are promising but not yet proven in people. The review identifies multiple potential mechanisms, which is good, but also notes that future research needs to focus on testing these compounds in actual humans to confirm they work for anti-aging.

What the Results Show

The review identified that saponins appear to fight aging through multiple pathways in your body. First, they act as antioxidants, meaning they help protect your cells from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Second, they reduce inflammation, which is linked to many age-related diseases. Third, they appear to support your skin’s health and appearance. Fourth, they may protect your brain and nervous system from age-related decline. The compounds also seem to influence how your cells divide and die, support the energy-producing structures inside your cells (mitochondria), and may even affect the length of your telomeres—the protective caps on your chromosomes that shorten with age. Additionally, saponins appear to influence your gut bacteria in ways that might support healthy aging.

The review found that different saponins from different plants have slightly different effects, suggesting that the specific structure of the compound matters. Some saponins appear particularly good at protecting skin, while others may be better for brain health. The compounds work through several cellular signaling pathways—essentially communication systems inside your cells—including pathways called Nrf2/HO-1, PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, MAPK, and AMPK. Understanding these pathways helps scientists design better saponin-based products. The review also notes that some companies have already developed supplements and functional foods containing saponins, though these products haven’t been extensively tested in humans yet.

This review builds on previous research showing that many plant compounds have anti-aging potential. Saponins join other well-studied compounds like polyphenols and flavonoids as plant-based substances that may help fight aging. However, while compounds like resveratrol (from grapes) and curcumin (from turmeric) have more human research behind them, saponins are less well-studied in actual people. This review suggests saponins may work through similar mechanisms to other anti-aging compounds but through some unique pathways as well.

The biggest limitation is that most evidence comes from laboratory experiments and animal studies, not human trials. What works in a test tube or in mice doesn’t always work the same way in people. The review doesn’t specify how many studies were examined or provide detailed quality assessments of each study. Additionally, many saponin products on the market haven’t been rigorously tested for safety or effectiveness in humans. The review also notes that the purity and concentration of saponins in commercial products varies widely, making it hard to know if you’re getting an effective dose. Finally, we don’t know the long-term safety of taking saponin supplements.

The Bottom Line

Based on current evidence, saponins show promise as anti-aging compounds, but the evidence is still preliminary (confidence level: low to moderate). If you’re interested in saponin-containing foods like ginseng, you can try incorporating them into your diet as part of a healthy eating pattern. However, saponin supplements should only be used under medical supervision. Talk to your doctor before starting any supplement, especially if you take medications, as saponins may interact with certain drugs. Don’t rely on saponin products as your only anti-aging strategy—proven approaches like exercise, healthy eating, sleep, and stress management remain your best bets.

This research is most relevant to people interested in natural approaches to healthy aging and those looking for evidence-based supplement options. It’s particularly interesting for people who already use traditional medicine from Asian cultures, where ginseng and similar plants have been used for centuries. However, people with certain health conditions, those taking blood thinners or other medications, and pregnant or nursing women should consult their doctor before using saponin supplements. Younger people focused on disease prevention might find this interesting, but the research is still too preliminary to recommend saponin supplements specifically for anti-aging in healthy individuals.

If saponins do work for anti-aging, benefits would likely develop slowly over months to years, not days or weeks. Skin health improvements might appear first (if they occur), potentially within 4-12 weeks. Effects on deeper aging processes like cellular health and inflammation would take longer to notice. However, since most evidence is from laboratory studies, we don’t actually know the realistic timeline for human benefits yet. This is another reason why human clinical trials are needed.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If using a saponin supplement, track your intake daily (brand, dose, time) and monitor skin appearance weekly with photos, energy levels daily on a 1-10 scale, and any side effects immediately. This creates a personal record to share with your doctor.
  • Start by adding saponin-rich foods like ginseng tea or ginseng-containing broths to your routine 2-3 times per week before considering supplements. Use the app to log when you consume these foods and note any changes you observe in energy, skin, or how you feel. This safer approach lets you test tolerance before supplements.
  • Create a 12-week tracking period with weekly check-ins on skin quality, energy levels, sleep quality, and any side effects. Take consistent photos weekly in the same lighting for skin assessment. If using supplements, maintain a log of batch numbers and dates to track consistency. Share all data with your healthcare provider to determine if the saponins are actually helping or if changes are from other lifestyle factors.

This review summarizes laboratory and animal research on saponins—most findings have not been tested in humans yet. Saponin supplements are not regulated the same way as medications and may vary in quality and purity. Before using any saponin product or supplement, consult with your healthcare provider, especially if you have existing health conditions, take medications, are pregnant, or are nursing. Saponins may interact with blood thinners and other medications. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. The anti-aging claims of saponin products are not yet proven in human studies.