Medicinal plants are sources of bioactive substances that can act to maintain human health. Among the compounds widely distributed in medicinal plants, there are steroidal saponins, an important class of secondary metabolites that are characterized as the active principle of these natural products. The structure of steroidal saponins is composed of a steroidal aglycone covalently linked to portions of carbohydrates and due to the complexity of its structure, the structural characterization processes are laborious. Steroidal saponins have been investigated over the years, due to their potent therapeutic properties such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic. In this work were summarized the studies found in the scientific literature in the last two decades, about the investigation of the therapeutic properties and structural characterization of the steroidal saponins. Furthermore, recent studies have suggested that some saponins like candidates for the treatment of patients with Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Studies on steroidal saponins are of great importance, as they can be potent therapeutic agents.