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Synonym name: Parigenin
Catalogue No.: BP1257
Cas No.: 126-19-2
Formula: C27H44O3
Mol Weight: 416.646
Botanical Source: Radix sarsaparilla (sarsaparilla root)
Purity: 95%~99%
Analysis Method: HPLC-DAD or/and HPLC-ELSD
Identification Method: Mass, NMR
Packing: Brown vial or HDPE plastic bottle
Can be supplied from milligrams to grams, up to kilograms.
Inquire for bulk scale.
Description:
Sarsasapogenin is a steroidal sapogenin, that is the aglycosidic portion of a plant saponin. It is named after sarsaparilla (Smilax sp.), a family of climbing plants found in subtropical regions. It was one of the first sapogenins to be identified, and the first spirostan steroid to be identified as such. The identification of the spirostan structure, with its ketone spiro acetal functionality, was fundamental in the development of the Marker degradation, which allowed the industrial production of progesterone and other sex hormones from plant steroids.
Sarsasapogenin is unusual in that it has a cis-linkage between rings A and B of the steroid nucleus, as opposed to the more usual trans-linkage found in other saturated steroids. This 5β configuration is biologically significant, as a specific enzyme – sarsasapogenin 3β-glucosyltransferase – is found in several plants for the glycosylation of sarsasapogenin. The (S)-configuration at C-25 is also in contrast to other spirostan sapogenins: the epimer with a (25R)-configuration is known as smilagenin.
Sarsasapogenin has been used as a starting material for the synthesis of other steroids. It has also attracted pharmaceutical interest in its own right, and is found in the rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides, called zhī mǔ (知母) in traditional Chinese medicine, from which it is extracted commercially.
Sarsasapogenin and its C-25 epimer smilagenin lowered blood sugar and reversed diabetic weight gain in experiments within mice with a mutant diabetes gene (db). Both steroids also halted the decline in muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. In both cases, the effects seem to be specific to the 5β-configuration, the cis-linkage between rings A and B, as diosgenin (with a Δ5 double bond which can be hydrogenated in the body) had much lower anti-diabetic activity (and no significant effect on mAChRs) while tigogenin (the 5α-epimer of smilagenin) showed no effect at all in either study.
HPLC of Sarsasapogenin
HNMR of Sarsasapogenin
Storage conditions：Short-term storage at 2~8℃, long-term storage at -20 ~ -80℃
38.6900
5.4410
5.4410
.0002
7.0881
9.4667
High
90.1714
5.2196
No
No
No
No
No
No
0.0
No
No
No
No
Sarsasapogenin (CAS number: 126-19-2) is an important steroid saponin, mainly isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge. As a typical steroidal skeleton compound in natural products, Zhimu saponin has attracted attention for its diverse biological activities. In recent years, with the deepening of natural drug research, anemarrhena saponin has shown broad application potential in various pharmacological effects such as anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. Its unique molecular structure gives it high affinity for various biological targets, thereby regulating multiple cellular signaling pathways and exerting significant therapeutic effects. This paper will systematically review the chemical structure, origin, extraction method, pharmacological activity, mechanism of action, druggability evaluation, and clinical application prospects of Zhimu saponin, aiming to provide theoretical basis and reference for in-depth research and drug development of this natural product.
Anemarrhena saponin is a typical steroid saponin with a molecular formula of C27H42O4 and a molecular weight of 416.6460. Its structural core is a steroid skeleton, containing four fused rings (A, B, C, D), featuring typical steroid three-ring, six-membered rings and one-ring, five-membered ring structures. The molecule contains functional groups such as hydroxyl and ketone groups, giving it certain polarity and biological activity. The LogP value of anemarrhenia saponin is 5.4410, indicating strong hydrophobicity and extremely low water solubility (0.0002), which significantly affects its absorption and distribution in the body. Its polar surface area (TPSA) is 38.6900, indicating moderate molecular polarity that is favorable for binding with biological macromolecules. It is worth noting that anemarrhenia saponin has a high ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, suggesting its potential role in central nervous system diseases. Additionally, the hERG channel inhibition test was negative, indicating a low risk of cardiotoxicity, while the Ames test result was 0.0, indicating no significant genotoxicity and a solid safety foundation.
The main source of anemarrhena saponins is the medicinal herb Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge, a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Anemarrhena in the Liliaceae family, widely distributed in northern China and the Korean Peninsula. Anemarrhena is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for clearing heat and purging fire, nourishing yin, and moistening dryness, with a long history of clinical use.
The extraction process for anemarrhena saponins mainly includes the following steps:
In recent years, new technologies such as ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction have also been applied to extract anemarrhea saponins, improving extraction efficiency and purity.
Due to its diverse biological activities, anemarrhenia saponin has become a hot topic in natural medicine research. Existing studies show significant pharmacological effects in anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Anemarite saponins improve blood glucose levels in diabetic model animals by regulating insulin signaling pathways and glycolipid metabolism. Its mechanisms include promoting pancreatic β cell function, enhancing glucose uptake, and inhibiting gluconeogenesis. In vitro experiments showed that anemaritol saponin can activate the AMPK pathway, promote glucose metabolism, and reduce insulin resistance.
Zhimo saponins have the ability to scavenge free radicals and significantly enhance intracellular antioxidant enzyme activity, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), thereby reducing oxidative stress damage. Its antioxidant properties help prevent and treat various diseases related to oxidative stress, such as cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative diseases.
Multiple in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that anemaragenin saponins inhibit various cancer cells. It exerts anti-tumor effects by inducing apoptosis, blocking the cell cycle, and inhibiting tumor cell migration and invasion. Research has found that anemaritol saponins regulate multiple signaling pathways, such as STAT3 and NF-κB, inhibit the expression of tumor-related genes, and slow tumor growth.
Anemarrhena saponin is particularly prominent in its anti-inflammatory effects. It can significantly inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors such as IL-6 and TNF-α, reducing inflammatory responses. Its anti-inflammatory activity has been validated in various inflammatory models, including arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and neuroinflammation.
The multiple pharmacological effects of anemarrhena saponin are attributed to its regulation of various molecular targets, with particularly in-depth research on anti-inflammatory mechanisms. The main targets include:
The coordinated regulation of these targets enables anemarrhena saponins to effectively intervene in inflammatory responses and related pathological processes. Additionally, anemarrhena saponin exerts its anti-diabetes and anti-cancer effects by regulating cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, and metabolic pathways.
The druggability evaluation of anemarrhenia saponin indicates that it has certain development potential. Its molecular weight is 416.6460, meeting the basic requirements of the Lipinski rule, but a higher LogP value (5.4410) suggests strong hydrophobicity, which may affect bioavailability and solubility. Its extremely low water solubility (0.0002) is a major challenge in formulation development, requiring improvements through technologies such as nanocarriers, liposomes, or solid dispersions.
Anemarrhenia saponin has a high blood-brain barrier penetration ability, suggesting its potential advantage in treating central nervous system diseases. The hERG channel inhibition test was negative, and the Ames test showed no mutagenicity, indicating good safety.
In terms of pharmacokinetics, current research is relatively limited. In vivo experiments show that anemarrhenia saponins are absorbed slowly orally and widely distributed. Their metabolism mainly passes through hepatic enzyme systems, with excretion mainly via bile and urine. Its half-life is moderate, and it has a certain degree of internal stability. Further research is needed in the future on its bioavailability, metabolic pathways, and drug interactions to provide data support for clinical applications.
With its multi-target and multi-mechanism pharmacological properties, Anemarrhena saponin shows promising application prospects in various disease fields. Its anti-inflammatory effects offer new approaches for treating chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and neuroinflammation. Its antidiabetic and antioxidant activities give it potential value in the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome and related complications. Its anti-cancer effects lay the foundation for the development of new natural anti-tumor drugs.
However, the clinical translation of anemarthena saponins still faces many challenges, including insufficient bioavailability due to low water solubility, metabolic complexity in vivo, and a lack of systematic clinical trial data. In the future, pharmacokinetic research should be strengthened, administration routes and formulation technologies optimized, and systematic preclinical and clinical studies conducted to verify safety and efficacy.
Additionally, based on modern molecular biology and medicinal chemistry techniques, combined with structural modification and drug design, it is expected that derivatives with optimized structure, stronger activity, and lower side effects will be developed, promoting the translation of anemarinous saponins into clinical drugs.
As a steroid saponin derived from traditional Chinese medicine Anemarrhena, it holds significant research value in the field of natural product pharmacology due to its diverse pharmacological activities and good safety. Its multiple mechanisms of anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects provide new therapeutic strategies for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Although there are still certain limitations in terms of druggability and clinical application, with ongoing advances in extraction and purification technology, drug delivery systems, and molecular mechanism research, Anemarantha saponin is expected to become an important candidate for new natural medicines in the future. Future research should focus on deeply elucidating its mechanism of action, optimizing drug properties, and conducting systematic clinical evaluations to promote its clinical translation and industrial application.
Shenshuai
Wenjing
Hedandan
