Medicinal Plant Research 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 285-296 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 286 lies in its potential to offer a novel, health-promoting beverage that not only aligns with traditional medicinal practices but also meets modern health standards and needs. 2 Main Active Components and Pharmacological Effects of PolygonatumExtract 2.1 Analysis of major chemical constituents of Polygonatumextract Polygonatum extract is rich in various bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, flavonoids, and saponins, which contribute to its medicinal properties. Polysaccharides are one of the primary components and have been shown to possess significant pharmacological activities, such as hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects (Zhao et al., 2018; Luo et al., 2022). Flavonoids, another major constituent, are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (Deng et al., 2012; Zhou et al., 2023). Saponins, particularly steroidal and triterpenoid saponins, are also abundant in Polygonatum species and have been linked to various health benefits, including anti-diabetic and anti-cancer effects (Zhao et al., 2018; Luo et al., 2020). The extraction and characterization of these compounds have been extensively studied. For instance, saponin-rich fractions fromPolygonatum odoratum have demonstrated potent anti-diabetic potential, significantly improving glucose uptake in HepG2 cells and ameliorating clinical symptoms of diabetes in STZ-induced diabetic rats (Deng et al., 2012). Similarly, polysaccharides from Polygonatum kingianum have shown significant hypoglycemic activity by regulating glucose metabolism through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway (Li et al., 2020a). 2.2 Hypoglycemic mechanism and related pharmacological studies of Polygonatumextract The hypoglycemic effects of Polygonatum extract are primarily attributed to its saponins and polysaccharides. Saponins fromP. sibiricum, for example, have been shown to inhibit the activity of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion, thereby reducing postprandial blood glucose levels (Luo et al., 2020). Additionally, these saponins improve insulin resistance by enhancing glucose consumption and glycogen content in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells (Luo et al., 2020). Polysaccharides from P. kingianum also exhibit hypoglycemic effects by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which plays a crucial role in glucose metabolism. This activation leads to increased expression of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (AKT), thereby improving insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake (Li et al., 2020a). Furthermore, long-term administration of saponin-rich fractions from P. odoratum has been shown to significantly reduce blood glucose levels and improve clinical symptoms of diabetes in severe diabetic rats (Deng et al., 2012). 2.3 Other biological effects of Polygonatumextract In addition to its hypoglycemic effects, Polygonatum extract exhibits a range of other biological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Flavonoids in Polygonatumspecies are particularly noted for their antioxidant properties, which help in scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidative stress (Deng et al., 2012; Zhou et al., 2023). For instance, flavonoid-rich fractions fromP. odoratumhave been shown to increase superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and decrease malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in rat plasma, indicating enhanced antioxidant defense (Deng et al., 2012). The anti-inflammatory effects of Polygonatum extract are also well-documented. Processed extracts of P. kingianum, for example, have demonstrated substantial improvements in anti-inflammatory activities in cell models, which are attributed to the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, and other bioactive compounds (Zhou et al., 2023). These compounds are believed to modulate key inflammatory pathways, such as the PI3K-Akt and MAPK pathways, thereby reducing inflammation (Zhou et al., 2023). Moreover, Polygonatum extract has been shown to modulate gut microbiota composition, which is crucial for maintaining metabolic health. Saponins from P. sibiricum, for instance, have been found to increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and decrease harmful bacteria in diabetic mice, thereby contributing to improved metabolic profiles and reduced symptoms of diabetes (Figure 1) (Chai et al., 2021).
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