Saikosaponin D is a triterpene saponin isolated from Bupleurum, with anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-tumor, and anti-allergic activities; Saikosaponin D inhibits selectin, STAT3 and NF-kB and activates estrogen receptor-β.
Saikosaponin D (Compound 3) is a triterpene saponin, which inhibits E-selectin, L-selectin and P-selectin binding to THP-1 cells, with IC50s of 1.8 µM, 3.0 µM and 4.3 µM, and such effects are not due to cytotoxic action. Saikosaponin D (1, 5, 10 µM) dose-dependently inhibits the THP-1 adhesion to the HUVECs monolayer activated by TNF-α. Saikosaponin D (30 μM) also inhibits the expression of P-selectin ligand (CD162) in THP-1 cells[1]. Saikosaponin D (5 μM) suppresses the proliferation of HSC-T6 cells induced by H2O2 treatment, reduces the expression levels of α-SMA, TGF-β1, Hyp, COL1 and TIMP-1, and increases MMP-1 expressioon, thus inhibiting H2O2-induced excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) formation, with similar effects to estradiol (E2), and these effects are blocked by ER antagonists. Saikosaponin D also inhibits oxidative stress-induced ROS generation and down reduates MAPK signaling pathway, and the inhibition is also suppressed by ER antagonists[3].
Saikosaponin D (2 mg/kg/day, i.p.) shows a protective effect on overdose of acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury of mice. Saikosaponin D affects APAP metabolism, increases GSH levels but does not alter PPARα activation. Saikosaponin D (2 mg/kg/day, i.p.) also suppresses APAP-induced increases in the expression of STAT3 target genes and pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibits APAP-induced activation of STAT3 and NF-kB[2].
References:
[1]. Jang MJ, et al. Saikosaponin D isolated from Bupleurum falcatum inhibits selectin-mediated cell adhesion. Molecules. 2014 Dec 4;19(12):20340-9.
[2]. Liu A, et al. Saikosaponin d protects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity by inhibiting NF-κB and STAT3 signaling. Chem Biol Interact. 2014 Nov 5;223:80-6.
[3]. Que R, et al. Estrogen receptor-β-dependent effects of saikosaponin‑d on the suppression of oxidative stress-induced rat hepatic stellate cell activation. Int J Mol Med. 2018 Mar;41(3):1357-1364.