Panax notoginseng saponins and their applications in nervous system disorders: a narrative review

Abstract

Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS), also called "sanqi" in Chinese, are the main active ingredients which are extracted from the root of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen., and they have been traditionally used as a medicine in China for hundreds of years with magical medicinal value. PNS have varied biological functions, such as anti-inflammatory effects, anti-cancer effects, anti-neurotoxicity, and the prevention of diabetes. Nervous system disorders, a spectrum of diseases originating from the nervous system, have a significant impact on all aspects of patients' lives. Due to the dramatic gains in global life expectancy, the prevalence of nervous system disorders is growing gradually. Even if the mechanism of these diseases is still not clear, they are mainly characterized by neuronal dysfunction and neuronal death. Consequently, it is essential to find measures to slow down or prevent the onset of these diseases. At present, traditional Chinese medicines, as well as their active components, have gained widespread popularity in preventing and treating these diseases because of their merits, especially PNS. In this review, we predominantly address the recent advances in PNS researches and their biological functions, and highlight their applications in nervous system disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and stroke.

Analgesic Alkaloids Derived From Traditional Chinese Medicine in Pain Management

“…Panax notoginseng saponins are also the main effective constituents of Xuesaitong Injection, which is widely used in the treatment of cerebral ischemic stroke and cardiovascular disease in China ( Zhang X. et al, 2015 ). Panax notoginseng saponins have neuroprotective and anti-oxidant activities via reducing the levels of ROS, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide (Model: cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity model; Dosage: 31.35 mg/kg; Control: vehicle) ( Li et al, 2020a ), while increasing the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione ( Qu et al, 2020 ). Panax notoginseng saponins are also found to be able to modulate gut microbiota and boost the immune system to strengthen the overall health (Model: lincomycin hydrochloride-induced microbial intestinal disorder model; Dosage: 20, 60 mg/kg) ( Sun et al, 2003 ; Song and Hu, 2009 ; Bai et al, 2021 ).…”

The Study of Steaming Durations and Temperatures on the Chemical Characterization, Neuroprotective, and Antioxidant Activities of Panax notoginseng

“…It possesses various pharmacological activities, such as anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant [ 15 ]. Several studies have found that saponins, the major active ingredients of PN, exerted beneficial effects on AD [ 16 , 17 ]. Li et al [ 18 ] showed that notoginsenoside R 1 had a neuroprotective effect on an APP/PS1 double-transgenic mouse model of AD by upregulating insulin degrading enzyme and suppressing A β accumulation.…”

Uncovering the Mechanism of Chuanhong Stroke Capsule in the Treatment of Stroke Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Technology

“…Each ingredient of CHSC has its own specific functions. For example, Adix Paeoniae Rubra, Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort, Pueraria Radix, P notoginseng, and C tinctorius have already shown the function of anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis [13][14][15][16][17][18] ; Typhae pollen has demonstrated the ability to attenuate cell injury through various functions against neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress 19 ; Geosaurus could repress inflammatory responses, inhibit apoptosis, and ameliorate ischemic brain injury 20 ; Siegesbeckiae can reduce brain injury through reducing platelet adhesion and anti-oxidative stress 21 . Due to its complex components, it is difficult to conduct studies on the curative mechanisms of CHSC in previous studies.…”