Advances in the pharmacological activities and mechanisms of diosgenin / 中国天然药物
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.)
; (6): 578-587, 2015.
Article
in English
| WPRIM (Western Pacific)
| ID: wpr-812508
Responsible library:
WPRO
ABSTRACT
Diosgenin, a well-known steroid sapogenin derived from plants, has been used as a starting material for production of steroidal hormones. The present review will summarize published literature concerning pharmacological potential of diosgenin, and the underlying mechanisms of actions. Diosgenin has shown a vast range of pharmacological activities in preclinical studies. It exhibits anticancer, cardiovascular protective, anti-diabetes, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, estrogenic, and skin protective effects, mainly by inducing apoptosis, suppressing malignant transformation, decreasing oxidative stress, preventing inflammatory events, promoting cellular differentiation/proliferation, and regulating T-cell immune response, etc. It interferes with cell death pathways and their regulators to induce apoptosis. Diosgenin antagonizes tumor metastasis by modulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition and actin cytoskeleton to change cellular motility, suppressing degradation of matrix barrier, and inhibiting angiogenesis. Additionally, diosgenin improves antioxidant status and inhibits lipid peroxidation. Its anti-inflammatory activity is through inhibiting production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, enzymes and adhesion molecules. Furthermore, diosgenin drives cellular growth/differentiation through the estrogen receptor (ER) cascade and transcriptional factor PPARγ. In summary, these mechanistic studies provide a basis for further development of this compound for pharmacotherapy of various diseases.
Full text:
Available
Database:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Pharmacology
/
Plant Extracts
/
Oxidative Stress
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Inflammation Mediators
/
Phytoestrogens
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Cell Proliferation
/
Diosgenin
/
Metabolism
/
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
/
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.)
Year:
2015
Document type:
Article