Research progress on saponins in Panax notoginseng and their molecular mechanism of anti-cerebral ischemia

Abstract

Ischemic stroke is the most common form of stroke and one of the main diseases leading to death and disability in the world. Its pathological process is complex and changeable as a result of the interaction of multiple pathological links, such as oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation. Traditional Chinese medicine Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma is the dried roots and rhizomes of Panax notoginseng. In clinic, it is mainly used for the treatment of diseases of cardio-cerebral system and vascular system. Recent studies have shown that total saponins of P. notoginseng, the main active ingredients of P. notoginseng against cerebral ischemia, are complex, and can interfere with the enzyme-promoted cascade reaction through multiple pathways, multiple links and multiple targets, so as to exert its physiological effect. Therefore, it has become a hotspot in studies for prevention and treatment of cerebral ischemia. At present, a great advance has been made in studies on the mechanism of anti-cerebral ischemia of P. notoginseng saponins, but more in-depth studies are needed because of its complex mechanism. Therefore, in this paper, a total of 165 kinds of P. notoginseng saponins were summarized, and simply divided into protopanaxadiol saponins(55 species), protopanaxadiol saponins(37 species) and special structural type saponins(73 species) according to their structural types, so as to provide reference for further studies of P. notoginseng saponins. In addition, the effect of P. notoginseng on cerebral ischemia is clear, but its mechanism remains to be further explored. This paper summarizes the mechanism of P. notoginseng saponins against cerebral ischemia in five aspects: antioxidant stress, reduction of apoptosis, reduction of inflammatory reaction, inhibition of calcium overload and protection of blood-brain barrier. Four kinds of drugs commonly used in the treatment of cerebral ischemia were summarized, in order to provide a theoretical basis for further development and utilization of P. notoginseng saponins in the treatment of cerebral ischemia.