sarsagenin

Sarsagenin (also known as sarsasapogenin or PYM50018) is a plant-derived steroidal sapogenin and the aglycone portion of certain plant saponins. It is found in species such as Dioscorea collettii (yam), Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek), Anemarrhena asphodeloides (Zhi Mu), and Smilax species. Sarsagenin has attracted pharmaceutical interest for its neuroprotective properties; preclinical studies have shown that it protects against neuronal damage, increases neurite outgrowth, reverses oxidative damage and neuronal apoptosis. It is being investigated primarily for neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and glaucoma[2][3]. Mechanistically, in vitro data suggest inhibition of organic anion transporting polypeptides OATP1B1 and OATP1B3[9]. Sarsagenin also serves as a precursor in the synthesis of other steroids.

Brand names

Myogane

Other names

sarsasapogeninparigeninpure sarsasapogeninspirostan-3-ol (3beta,5beta,25S)-spirostan-3-olsmilagenin