Pseudoprotodioscin is a steroidal saponin that has been found in D. panthaica and has diverse biological activities.1,2,3 It is cytotoxic to A375, L929, and HeLa cancer cells (IC50s = 5.73, 5.09, and 3.32 ?M, respectively).1 Pseudoprotodioscin (2 ?M) increases nuclear accumulation of estrogen receptor α (ERα) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes cultured in differentiation medium.2 It inhibits LPS-induced increases in NF-κB activity in reporter assays using isolated mouse peritoneal macrophages and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) when used at a concentration of 2.5 ?M.3 Pseudoprotodioscin (1, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg) reduces atherosclerotic plaque area and inhibits increases in serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in ovariectomized ApoE-/- mice fed a high-cholesterol diet.
1.Dong, M., Feng, X.-Z., Wu, L.-J., et al.Two new steroidal saponins from the rhizomes of Dioscorea panthaica and their cytotoxic activityPlanta Med.67(9)853-857(2001) 2.Xiao, J., Wang, N.-L., Sun, B., et al.Estrogen receptor mediates the effects of pseudoprotodiocsin on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cellsAm. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol.299(1)C128-C138(2010) 3.Sun, B., Yang, D., Yin, Y.-Z., et al.Estrogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of pseudoprotodioscin in atherosclerosis-prone mice: Insights into endothelial cells and perivascular adipose tissuesEur. J. Pharmacol.869172887(2020)