Steroidal sapogenins from genus Trillium: Chemistry, synthesis, and opportunities in neuro-active steroids designing

Abstract The genus Trillium belongs to the family Melanthiaceae (alt. Trilliaceae) and comprises around 50 accepted species. Steroidal saponins are the principal phytomolecules in Trillium. A total of around 83 different steroidal saponins with three structurally different sapogenin skeletons have been reported from the Trillium genus. Steroidal saponins from Trillium have exhibited in vivo neuroprotective properties, and sapogenin portions are structurally similar to neurosteroids. Steroidal sapogenins, such as diosgenin, have been utilized as a raw material for the synthesis of steroidal hormones and bio-active steroidal derivatives in industries. Sapogenins offer the opportunity to design and develop natural neuroactive steroidal derivatives. This book chapter provides an overview of sapogenins and saponins characterized from the genus Trillium and an outline of their spectroscopic assignments. Besides this, in silico study has been carried out to understand the molecular interactions of steroidal sapogenins with the GABAA receptor. The amalgam of computational biology, medicinal synthetic chemistry, and clinical approach can be used for the development of reliable, novel, and potential neuromodulatory agents from Trillium or other steroidal saponins enriched natural sources.