Immunomodulatory effect of saponins from Agave brittoniana subsp. brachypus (Trel.) in a model of fetal alcohol toxicity
Background: Prenatal exposure to ethanol can result in immunosuppression in the foetus due to alterations in tissue architecture and cellular composition, as well as reduced immune system function. This highlights the urgent need to identify new immunomodulatory agents. A variety of natural products and their metabolites are a significant source of molecules with such properties. Agave brittoniana subsp. brachypus (Trel.) A. Álvarez is a species known to produce steroidal saponins, which have demonstrated immunomodulatory activity. The aim of the study: To examine the immunomodulatory effects of saponins derived from the A. brittoniana species. Materials and methods: A fetal alcohol toxicity model was developed. Progenitor rats were orally administered 40 % alcohol (5 g/kg/day on gestational days 3-21), followed by treatment with three doses of saponins-enriched extracts (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg bw) and folic acid, which served as a control. The cellular and humoral response of the immune system was evaluated in neonates at 15, 21 and 31 days after birth. Results: In neonates with fetal alcohol toxicity, an increase in leukocytes at the expense of lymphocytes was observed in the group with the highest dose of saponins. The humoral response of these neonates was characterised by increased IgG at all three doses, with a restoration of C3 values only observed in the 100 mg/kg A. brittoniana saponin group. Conclusion: Steroidal saponins from A. brittoniana species have high immunomodulatory potential in immunocompromised animals
González-Madariaga Y, Rega-Echavarria D, Pizarro-Espin A, et al.
Immunomodulatory effect of saponins from Agave brittoniana subsp. brachypus (Trel.) in a model
of fetal alcohol toxicity. Research Results in Biomedicine. 2026;12(3):439-450. DOI:
10.18413/2658-6533-2026-12-3-0-5
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The authors would like to thank Yuliet González Madariaga, English Language Specialist at the Department of English Language, Faculty of Humanities, Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas, for her expert linguistic review of this work. Her meticulous analysis of the English manuscript and expert suggestions significantly enhanced the linguistic quality and clarity of our scientific presentation. The professional language editing service was essential in ensuring the precision required for effective international academic communication