Saikosaponins: a review of pharmacological effects |
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| Authors: | Xiao-Qin Li Ya-Nan Song Su-Juan Wang Khalid Rahman |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China;2. Central Laboratory, Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai 200137, China;3. Central Laboratory, Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai 200137, China;4. Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK |
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| Abstract: | Over the past decades, a number of phytochemicals have been reported to possess potent pharmacological effects. Saikosaponins represent a group of oleanane derivatives, usually as glucosides, which are commonly found in medicinal plants Bupleurum spp., which have been used as traditional Chinese medicine for more than 1,000 years in China. Emerging evidence suggests that saikosaponins have many pharmacological effects, including sedation, anticonvulsant, antipyretic, antiviral, immunity, anti-inflammation, antitumor properties, protecting liver and kidney and so on. The present review provides a comprehensive summary and analysis of the pharmacological properties of saikosaponins, supporting the potential uses of saikosaponins as a medicinal agent. |
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| Keywords: | Bupleurum saikosaponins pharmacological effects |
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