Saikosaponin D improves chemosensitivity of glioblastoma by reducing the its stemness maintenance

Research progress on the molecular mechanisms of Saikosaponin D in various diseases (Review)

Bupleurum, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herb, is widely used in China and other Asian countries to manage chronic liver inflammation and viral hepatitis. Saikosaponin D (SSD), a triterpenoid saponin extracted from Bupleurum, exhibits extensive pharmacological properties, including anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant, anti‑apoptotic, anti‑fibrotic and anti‑cancer effects, making it a therapeutic candidate for numerous diseases. Clarifying the targets and molecular mechanisms underlying TCM compounds is essential for scientifically validating TCM's therapeutic roles in disease prevention and treatment, as well as for identifying novel therapeutic targets and lead compounds. This analysis comprehensively examines SSD's mechanisms across various conditions, such as myocardial injury, pulmonary diseases, hepatic disorders, renal pathologies, neurological disorders, diabetes and cancer. In addition, challenges and potential solutions encountered in SSD research are addressed. SSD is posited as a promising monomer for multifaceted therapeutic applications and this article aims to enhance researchers' understanding of the current landscape of SSD studies, offering strategic insights to guide future investigations.

Advances in the anti-tumor mechanisms of saikosaponin D

Saikosaponin D, a saponin compound, is extracted from Bupleurum and is a principal active component of the plant. It boasts a variety of pharmacologic effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, metabolic, and anti-tumor properties, drawing significant attention in anti-tumor research in recent years. Research indicates that saikosaponin D inhibits the proliferation of numerous tumor cells, curbing the progression of cancers such as liver, pancreatic, lung, glioma, ovarian, thyroid, stomach, and breast cancer. Its anti-tumor mechanisms largely involve inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, promoting tumor cell apoptosis, thwarting tumor-cell invasion, and modulating tumor cell autophagy. Moreover, saikosaponin D enhances the sensitivity to anti-tumor drugs and augments body immunity. Given its multi-faceted anti-tumor roles, saikosaponin D offers promising potential in anti-tumor therapy. This paper reviews recent studies on its anti-tumor effects, aiming to furnish new theoretical insights for clinical cancer treatments.

Nanomedicine facilitated cell signaling blockade: difficulties and strategies to overcome glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive and lethal type of brain tumor with complex and diverse molecular signaling pathways involved that are in its development and progression. Despite numerous attempts to develop effective treatments, the survival rate remains low. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms of these pathways can aid in the development of targeted therapies for the treatment of glioblastoma. Nanomedicines have shown potential in targeting and blocking signaling pathways involved in glioblastoma. Nanomedicines can be engineered to specifically target tumor sites, bypass the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and release drugs over an extended period. However, current nanomedicine strategies also face limitations, including poor stability, toxicity, and low therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, novel and advanced nanomedicine-based strategies must be developed for enhanced drug delivery. In this review, we highlight risk factors and chemotherapeutics for the treatment of glioblastoma. Further, we discuss different nanoformulations fabricated using synthetic and natural materials for treatment and diagnosis to selectively target signaling pathways involved in GBM. Furthermore, we discuss current clinical strategies and the role of artificial intelligence in the field of nanomedicine for targeting GBM.

Saikosaponin D reverses epinephrine- and norepinephrine-induced gemcitabine resistance in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma by downregulating ADRB2/glycolysis signaling

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a highly fatal malignancy with rapidly increasing incidence and mortality worldwide. Currently, gemcitabine-based systemic chemotherapy is the main clinical therapeutic regimen; however, its efficacy is poor, and its mechanism has not been elucidated. In this study, we use a Seahorse Extracellular Flux analyser to measure glycolysis capacity (extracellular acidification rate, ECAR) and oxygen consumption rate (OCR). The glucose uptake or lactic acid content is detected, and the effects of saikosaponin D, an active compound derived from Bupleuri Radix (a traditional Chinese medicine for soothing the liver and relieving depression), on gemcitabine cytotoxicity in norepinephrine-stimulated iCCA cells are analysed. We find that adrenergic signaling plays a fundamental role in chronic stress-induced therapeutic resistance in iCCA. Norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) enhance the proliferation of iCCA cells and interfere with the response to gemcitabine through activation of the β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2). Furthermore, we find that NE upregulates the expressions of several drug efflux-related genes (such as ABCG2 and MDR1) and promotes glycolysis in iCCA cells. In addition, saikosaponin D reverses the poor response of iCCA cells to gemcitabine by downregulating ADRB2 level. Furthermore, saikosaponin D inhibits drug efflux and glycolysis in iCCA cells by regulating the expressions of MDR1, ABCG2, HK2, and GLUT1. Collectively, saikosaponin D enhances the antitumor effect of gemcitabine by controlling glucose metabolism and drug efflux by inhibiting the ADRB2 signaling. Therefore, the combination of saikosaponin D and gemcitabine may be a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of iCCA.