Description
Saikosaponin D is a triterpene saponin found in Bupleurum that exhibits antioxidative, immunomodulatory, anti-fibrotic, anti-angiogenic, anticancer, and chemopreventive activities. Saikosaponin D increases activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase and decreases activity of malondialdehyde in cellular models of oxidative damage. In other in vitro models, saikosaponin D increases secretion of IL-12, maturation of dendritic cells, and proliferation of lymphocytes. Saikosaponin D inhibits SERCA, increasing intracellular Ca2+ and inducing autophagy. In vivo, this compound decreases severity of fibrosis. In embryos, saikosaponin D decreases microvessel formation. Additionally, this compound decreases tumor formation in DEN-treated animal models and suppresses expression of CEBP-β and COX-2. Saikosaponin D also induces apoptosis and activation of caspases 3 and 7 in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.