Gypenosides
Gypenosides are saponins extract derived from Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino, have been used for treating hepatitis and cancer in Asia, particularly China. Gypenosides inhibit the onset and improve the recovery of liver fibrosis induced by CCl(4) in rats.
Gypenosides induce apoptosis in human hepatoma Huh-7
cells through a calcium/reactive oxygen species-dependent mitochondrial pathway.
Planta Med. 2007 June. School of Post-baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, China
Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
We have previously reported that gypenosides induce apoptosis in human
hepatocarcinoma Huh-7 cells through a mitochondria-dependent caspase-9
activation cascade. In order to further explore the critical events leading to
apoptosis in gypenoside treated cells, the following effects of gypenosides on
components of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway were examined: generation of
reactive oxygen species (ROS), alteration of the mitochondrial membrane
potential (MPT), and the subcellular distribution of Bcl-2 and Bax. We propose
that the rise in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration plays a pivotal role in the
initiation of gypenosides triggered apoptotic death.
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