AUTHOR=Li Songzhe , Hou Zhitao , Ye Ting , Song Xiaochen , Hu Xinying , Chen Jing 

TITLE=Saponin components in Polygala tenuifolia as potential candidate drugs for treating dementia

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2024.1431894

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2024.1431894

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Objective</title><p>This study aims to elucidate the intervention effects of saponin components from <italic>Polygala tenuifolia</italic> Willd (Polygalaceae) on dementia, providing experimental evidence and new insights for the research and application of saponins in the field of dementia.</p></sec><sec><title>Materials and Methods</title><p>This review is based on a search of the PubMed, NCBI, and Google Scholar databases from their inception to 13 May 2024, using terms such as “<italic>P. tenuifolia</italic>,” “<italic>P. tenuifolia</italic> and saponins,” “toxicity,” “dementia,” “Alzheimer’s disease,” “Parkinson’s disease dementia,” and “vascular dementia.” The article summarizes the saponin components of <italic>P. tenuifolia</italic>, including tenuigenin, tenuifolin, polygalasaponins XXXII, and onjisaponin B, as well as the pathophysiological mechanisms of dementia. Importantly, it highlights the potential mechanisms by which the active components of <italic>P. tenuifolia</italic> prevent and treat diseases and relevant clinical studies.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>The saponin components of <italic>P. tenuifolia</italic> can reduce β-amyloid accumulation, exhibit antioxidant effects, regulate neurotransmitters, improve synaptic function, possess anti-inflammatory properties, inhibit neuronal apoptosis, and modulate autophagy. Therefore, <italic>P. tenuifolia</italic> may play a role in the prevention and treatment of dementia.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>The saponin components of <italic>P. tenuifolia</italic> have shown certain therapeutic effects on dementia. They can prevent and treat dementia through various mechanisms.</p></sec>