Abstract
Microbial pathogens attack every plant tissue, including leaves, roots, shoots, and flowers during all growth stages. Thus, they cause several diseases resulting in a plant's failure or loss of the whole crop in severe cases. To combat the pathogens attack, plants produce some biologically active toxic compounds known as saponins. The saponins are secondary metabolic compounds produced in healthy plants with potential anti-pathogenic activity and serve as potential chemical barriers against pathogens. Saponins are classified into two major groups the steroidal and terpenoid saponins. Here, we reported the significance of saponin toxins in the war against insect pests, fungal, and bacterial pathogens. Saponins are present in both cultivated (chilies, spinach, soybean, quinoa, onion, oat, tea, etc.) and wild plant species. As they are natural toxic constituents of plant defense, breeders and plant researchers aiming to boost plant imm
unity should focus on transferring these compounds in cash crops.
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•Saponins are a heterogeneous group of secondary metabolites.•Saponins are classified into two major groups the steroidal and terpenoid saponins.•Saponins toxicity play a significant function in the plant defense.•We reported the significance of saponins toxicity in the war against insect pests and fungal and bacterial pathogens.