Role and Mechanisms of Saponins in Alzheimer's Disease： A Review
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20240607
- VernacularTitle:天然皂苷在阿尔茨海默病作用及机制研究进展
- Author:
Yanan XU
1
;
Chenggang LIU
1
Author Information
1. School of Basic Medicine，Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine，Harbin 150040，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Alzheimer's disease;
triterpenoid saponins;
steroidal saponins;
mechanism of action
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2024;30(13):240-249
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Alzheimer's disease （AD） is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive decline in memory and cognitive function. Despite some achievements in AD research over the past few decades， its exact etiology remains elusive， with no reliable treatment currently available. This has spurred an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies， particularly for neuroprotective agents with minimal side effects and high efficacy. Natural plant extracts contain a class of steroidal or triterpenoid saponin compounds， exhibiting various pharmacological activities， and they are believed to hold immense potential in the prevention and treatment of AD. Studies have indicated that natural saponins may exert their effects through multiple pathways， including reducing amyloid-β peptide deposition， inhibiting abnormal phosphorylation of Tau protein， modulating oxidative stress， decreasing inflammatory responses， and suppressing cell apoptosis. Particularly， certain traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） formulations containing natural saponin components have demonstrated promising advantages in AD treatment， offering significant clinical prospects. This review summarized the research progress on saponin compounds extracted from natural plants in the prevention and treatment of AD and delved into their mechanisms of action. Through comprehensive analysis of these studies， the potential mechanisms of saponins in AD treatment were elucidated， aiming to provide valuable insights for the development of novel therapeutic drugs， and the review hopes that future research and clinical experiments will fully explore their potential in AD treatment， offering more effective therapeutic options for patients.
