# Antiradical and Antioxidant Activity and Stimulation of Pancreatic Lipase by Extracts Obtained from Saponin-Rich Raw Materials: Experimental and In Silico Study

## TL;DR

This study explores how saponin-rich plant extracts affect pancreatic lipase activity and antioxidant properties, combining experimental and computational methods.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the combined experimental and in silico analysis of saponin effects on pancreatic lipase and antioxidant activity.

## Key findings

- Horse chestnut seed and ginseng root extracts most strongly stimulate pancreatic lipase activity.
- Antioxidant activity correlates strongly with total phenol content in the extracts.
- Computational models show saponins stabilize oil emulsions and influence lipase activity through ligand-enzyme interactions.

## Abstract

The effects of saponin-rich extracts on pancreatic lipase activity were examined. Horse chestnut seed and ginseng root extracts stimulated lipase activity the most, while ivy leaf and fenugreek seed extracts had an inhibitory effect. The strongest antiradical activity (ABTS+•–2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) test) was exhibited by horse chestnut seed extract and the weakest by the soapwort root extract. Antioxidant activity strongly positively correlated with the total amount of phenols. Experimental studies showed that the surface properties of saponins present in extracts influence emulsion stabilization and have a moderate stimulating or inhibitory effect on pancreatic lipase activity. Computational studies demonstrated that lipase activity is stimulated by stabilizing an oil emulsion in the case of all studied saponins. Depending on the type of saponin, activation or inhibition of lipase was observed due to the immediate ligand–enzyme interactions.