title: Advances in the pharmacological activities and mechanisms of diosgenin.
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.
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Complex Prescription of TCM, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Complex Prescription of TCM, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
authors.forename: You-Mei
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Complex Prescription of TCM, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
authors.forename: Su-Lan
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Complex Prescription of TCM, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
authors.forename: Yu-Wei
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Complex Prescription of TCM, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China. Electronic address: junpingkou@163.com.
authors.forename: Jun-Ping
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Kou
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Complex Prescription of TCM, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
authors.forename: Bao-Lin
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Complex Prescription of TCM, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
authors.forename: Bo-Yang
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004144:Diosgenin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000975:Antioxidants; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D004144:Diosgenin
keywords: Diosgenin; Multiple targets; Pharmacological activities; Steroid sapogenin