Beyond traditional uses: the multifaceted bioactivities of steroidal saponins from the genus Trillium and their modern applications

Abstract

Steroidal saponins with diverse bioactivities have gained considerable attention. The genus Trillium, a group of perennial flowering plants, is a prominent source of these compounds, historically esteemed in both Native American and East Asian medicinal traditions. This review integrates traditional knowledge with modern scientific findings to explore the phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological properties of Trillium-derived steroidal saponins. Through an exhaustive literature review utilizing databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, CNKI, and Google Scholar, 134 pivotal papers up to October 17, 2023, were selected for analysis. This emphasizes the medicinal importance of the Trillium genus, particularly highlighting Trillium Tschonoskii, and identifies steroidal saponins as the primary bioactive components among various compounds. The pharmacological activities of Trillium species reveals that steroidal saponins exhibit various bioactivities, including anticancer, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory effects. Specifically, these saponins have shown potential in inhibiting tumor growth, enhancing insulin sensitivity, protecting neuronal cells from oxidative stress, slowing the aging process, and reducing inflammation through various cellular and molecular mechanisms. Such findings underscore the therapeutic potential of steroidal saponins in addressing a multitude of health conditions, suggesting their role in developing innovative therapeutic solutions. However, despite these promising bioactivities, there remains a crucial need for in-depth clinical studies to validate the therapeutic efficacy of Trillium-derived steroidal saponins fully. Looking forward, the multifarious bioactivities of these compounds present a compelling case for continued scientific exploration, with the potential to revolutionize the realm of natural medicine by offering new avenues for the treatment and management of various diseases.