Discovered as a constituent comprising 2.91% of Aloe Vera leaf gel by Wasicky and Hoehne in 1951, the Saponins are glycosides which provide not only a cleansing and antiseptic capability but are also superb saponifying agents for natural sudsing in such cosmetics as shampoos.
ref: Silent Healer (pg. 50) by Bill Coats, R.PH., with Robert Ahola