Cardioprotective Effects and Mechanisms of Saponins on Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, is among the most prevalent health problems worldwide and effective strategies for its prevention and treatment are urgently required. In this regard, increasing research has demonstrated that natural drugs offer antihypertensive, antiatherosclerotic, and cardioprotective activities, and many are applied widely for the treatment of CVD and its manifestations such as myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular diseases, and coronary heart disease. Natural drugs have significant advantages in the treatment of CVD due to their efficacy and safety profiles. Saponins are an important class of active components of plant natural products and play an important role in the treatment of CVD. This review covers the most up-to-date information on saponins concerning their cardioprotective effects and mechanisms of action.

Bioactive Compounds and Cardiac Fibrosis: Current Insight and Future Prospect

“…Saponins are a group of natural compounds found in a variety of plants, including soybeans, oats, and ginseng. Some studies suggest that saponins may have potential benefits for cardiac fibrosis [172].…”

“…Further research is necessary to fully understand the mechanisms by which probiotics influence cardiac fibrosis and their overall effects on the gut microbiome in the context of different disease conditions. Piperine Alkaloids nigrum) [171,202] Ginsenoside Saponins Ginseng root [173] Astragaloside IV Saponins Astragalus membranaceus [172] Coumarins Coumarins tonka bean, cassia bark [174] Stilbenes Stilbenes grapes, peanuts, and berries [150,177] Caffeic acid Phenolic acids apples and red wine [178,179] Chlorogenic acid Phenolic acids Coffee [180,181] Vanillic acid Phenolic acids vanilla beans [182] Anthocyanins Anthocyanins red and purple berries, grapes, apples, plums, cabbage, or foods containing high levels of natural colorants [183] Tannins Tannins plant-based foods and beverages, such as tea, coffee, and wine [184] tonka bean, cassia bark [174] Stilbenes Stilbenes…”

“…Astragaloside IV: Astragaloside IV is a significant active astragaloside component of Astragalus Propinquuos and is prominent in cardiovascular disease studies. Astragaloside IV may prevent myocardial infarction-induced fibrosis by inhibiting the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition mediated by the AKT/GSK3-β/SNAIL signaling pathway [172]. While these studies suggest that saponins may have potential benefits for cardiac fibrosis, more research is needed to confirm these effects in humans.…”

“…Ginsenoside: Ginsenoside is a triterpene saponin found in ginseng, which can ameliorate isoproterenol-induced myocardial fibrosis via regulation of the TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway [172]. Ginsenoside can ameliorate acute myocardial infarction and angiotensin II-induced myocardial fibrosis.…”

Broad-spectrum ginsentides are principal bioactives in unraveling the cure-all effects of ginseng

“…Currently, ginsenosides, a class of steroidal glycosides and triterpene saponins, are thought to be the principal active compounds in ginseng 1 , 3 , 9 . Specifically, two major ginsenosides, the protopanaxdiol-type Rb1 and the protopanaxtriol-type Rg1, have been reported to elicit anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective activities, partially through the androgen, estrogen, and glucocorticoid receptors 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 . However, other families of natural products conferring the putative cure-all or panacea effects of P. ginseng remain under-explored.…”