Description
Protopanaxadiol is a triterpene sapogenin originally found in species of Panax (ginseng) that exhibits anticancer, neuromodulatory, neuroprotective, and antioxidative activities. Protopanaxadiol prevents breakdown of vitamin D3 and acts as an antagonist at GABA-A receptors. Protopanaxadiol also inhibits proliferation of colorectal cancer cells and induces mitochondria- and caspase-dependent apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma cells by decreasing the mitochondrial membrane potential and increasing release of cytochrome C, activation of caspases 3 and 9, and cleavage of PARP. In animal models of cerebral ischemia, protopanaxadiol increases activity of superoxide dismutase and Na+/K+ ATPases, stimulates expression of Bcl-2, and decreases infarct size and neurological deficits.
References
Deb S, Chin MY, Adomat H, et al. Ginsenoside-mediated blockade of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 inactivation in human liver and intestine in vitro. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2014 May;141:94-103. PMID: 24486455.
Xu H, Yu X, Qu S, et al. Protective effect of Panax quinquefolium 20(S)-protopanaxadiol saponins, isolated from Pana quinquefolium, on permanent focal cerebral ischemic injury in rats. Exp Ther Med. 2014 Jan;7(1):165-170. PMID: 24348784.
Zheng Y, Nan H, Hao M, et al. Antiproliferative effects of protopanaxadiol ginsenosides on human colorectal cancer cells. Biomed Rep. 2013 Jul;1(4):555-558. PMID: 24648985.
Zhang YL, Zhang R, Xu HL, et al. 20(S)-protopanaxadiol triggers mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells via inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Am J Chin Med. 2013;41(5):1137-52. PMID: 24117074.
Lee BH, Choi SH, Shin TJ, et al. Effects of Ginsenoside Metabolites on GABAA Receptor-Mediated Ion Currents. J Ginseng Res. 2012 Jan;36(1):55-60. PMID: 23717104.
