sasanquasaponin III

**Sasanquasaponin III** is a triterpenoid saponin, originally isolated from the flower buds of *Camellia sasanqua* and also found in the seeds of *Camellia oleifera* and the roots and stems of *Schima superba* and *Schima crenata*.[3][7][2] The chemical structure consists of a triterpenoid aglycone moiety linked to a sugar chain, typically a di- or trisaccharide.[2][3] Sasanquasaponin III exhibits a range of pharmacological activities, including anti-cancer (notably inhibiting epithelial to mesenchymal transition and promoting apoptosis in prostate cancer and melanoma cells[1][7]), anti-fungal (notably against *Candida albicans*[3]), and anti-inflammatory effects (by attenuating NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways[5]). Its anti-tumor effects are thought to involve inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Smad2/3, and Akt/mTOR/p70S6K pathways, modulation of apoptosis-related markers (Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3), and induction of autophagy.[1][7][9][5] It is under investigation mainly as a naturally derived bioactive compound from traditional Chinese medicine sources.

Other names

SQS III