Diosgenin, a plant derived steroidal saponin found most abundantly in legumes and yams. It has been used for the treatment of various types of disorder such as leukemia, inflammation, hypercholesterolemia and cancer. Besides being a lactation aid, it has been shown to be gastro-and hepato-protective, antioxidant, antidiabetic and vaso-dilatory compound. It is a precursor for production of several steroidal hormones. This review focuses on the pharmacological properties of diosgenin, a food saponin.

Chronic diseases are inextricably tied up with oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Oxidative stress triggers an antioxidant imbalance that elicits a multitude of inflammatory reactions, inevitably culminating in death-causing diseases by integrating free radicals. Rising research approaches intensely focus on identifying natural antioxidants with efficient anti-inflammatory potency. Diosgenin is a potent bioactive therapeutic candidate spotted in Fenugreek and Yams and has varied pharmacological properties. Concerning the therapeutic importance of this compound, the current study intends to explore its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. The antioxidant ability of diosgenin was tested by using free radical scavenging assays such as 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), 2, 2’-Azinobis-(3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS●+), Hydroxyl radical and Superoxide anion. Furthermore, the screening of Diosgenin’s anti-inflammatory potential was done by ligand interactions via Autodock software to explore its binding affinity with inflammatory receptors (NF-κB and TNF-α). On comparing this with standard ascorbic acid, Diosgenin has nearly equivalent IC50 values. The IC50 values of Diosgenin and Ascorbic acid were found to be 48.24 μg/mL and 47.93 μg/mL (DPPH), 41.18 μg/mL and 40.19 μg/mL (ABTS●+), 50.14 μg/mL and 48.99 μg/mL (Hydroxyl radical), 44.33 μg/mL and 50.02 μg/mL (Superoxide anion). Additionally, Diosgenin has good binding scores (-7.7, -9.8 kcal/mol) with target inflammatory receptors (NF-κB and TNF-α). In-vitro and in-silico modeling proves that diosgenin has effectively high antioxidant and antiinflammatory potency. Hereby, diosgenin seems to be a promising antioxidant against inflammatory diseases.

Breast cancer, the most pervasive cancer afflicting 2.1 million women worldwide, contributes to the highest number of cancer deaths in women. It can affect both genders, but it is more prevalent in women than in men. It seems to be the major unbearable global cancer burden. As a result, it creates a great impact on society. The exact etiology is still mysterious, but its associated risk factors were evidently identified. Although there are several sophisticated treatments available, continuing changes in the breast cancer prognosis culminated in more than 60 % of mortalities from this metastatic disease. Therefore, in an attempt to offer a clear picture of this enigmatic condition, this review outlines a concise summary of the breast cancer history, epidemiology, types, available treatments, genomics role, signaling pathways as well as its alternative splice variants.