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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