Timosaponin A3

Cancer Res., 2009, 69:18-22.

Timosaponin A3 is a steroidal saponin from Anemarrhena asphodeloides that has a selective cytotoxic activity towards cancer cells.[Reference: WebLink]

We have identified Timosaponin A3 (TspA3) as an active compound from BN108 that is responsible for the selective cytotoxicity for the whole extract. TspA3 is a steroidal saponin whose activity against cancer cells remained unexplored until now.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
Treatment with purified TspA3 at concentrations similar to those in the BN108 extract induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells but not in normal cells. TspA3 and BN108 induce largely overlapping transcriptional changes in cells. Similar to BN108, TspA3 inactivates major signaling pathways for growth and survival selectively in cancer cells (Akt and mTORC) and induces expression of proteins involved in cholesterol biosynthesis pathway and ER stress response.
CONCLUSIONS:
In conclusion, a component of BN108 extract, TspA3 is selectively cytotoxic for cancer versus normal cells. The selective cytotoxic properties of TspA3 could be related to the inhibition of major oncogenic pathways and induction of ER stress. Future studies will be aimed at understanding the relationship between the effect of TspA3 on these pathways and induction of apoptosis, which may give rise to a unique pathway for targeting tumor cells.

Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2014 Sep;35(9):1188-98.

Timosaponin A3 induces hepatotoxicity in rats through inducing oxidative stress and down-regulating bile acid transporters.[Pubmed: 25087997]

To investigate the mechanisms underlying the hepatotoxicity of Timosaponin A3 (TA3), a steroidal saponin from Anemarrhena asphodeloides, in rats.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
Male SD rats were administered Timosaponin A3 (100 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1), po) for 14 d, and the blood and bile samples were collected after the final administration. The viability of a sandwich configuration of cultured rat hepatocytes (SCRHs) was assessed using WST-1. Accumulation and biliary excretion index (BEI) of d8-TCA in SCRHs were determined with LC-MS/MS. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to analyze the expression of relevant genes and proteins. ROS and ATP levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were measured. F-actin cytoskeletal integrity was assessed under confocal microscopy. Timosaponin A3 administration in rats significantly elevated the total bile acid in serum, and decreased bile acid (BA) component concentrations in bile. Timosaponin A3 inhibited the viability of the SCRHs with an IC50 value of 15.21±1.73 μmol/L. Treatment of the SCRHs with Timosaponin A3 (1-10 μmol/L) for 2 and 24 h dose-dependently decreased the accumulation and BEI of d8-TCA. The Timosaponin A3 treatment dose-dependently decreased the expression of BA transporters Ntcp, Bsep and Mrp2, and BA biosynthesis related Cyp7a1 in hepatocytes. Furthermore, the Timosaponin A3 treatment dose-dependently increased ROS generation and HO-1 expression, decreased the ATP level and MMP, and disrupted F-actin in the SCRHs. NAC (5 mmol/L) significantly ameliorated Timosaponin A3-induced effects in the SCRHs, whereas mangiferin (10-200 μg/mL) almost blocked Timosaponin A3-induced ROS generation.
CONCLUSIONS:
Timosaponin A3 triggers liver injury through inducing ROS generation and suppressing the expression of BA transporters. Mangiferin, an active component in Anemarrhena, may protect hepatocytes from Timosaponin A3-induced hepatotoxicity.

CN20021060151, 2002.

Application of timosaponin A3 for preparing medicine for treating No.2 type diabetes mellitus[Reference: WebLink]

An application of anemarrhena saponin AIII extracted from anemarrhena rhizome in preparing the medicines for reducing blood sugar and treating type-B diabetes is disclosed. Application of Timosaponin A3 for preparing medicine for treating No.2 type diabetes mellitus

Planta Med., 2008, 74(9):965-965.

Timosaponin A3 and Sarsasapogenin inhibit nuclear factor-kB and p38 signaling in TNF-a stimulated BV-2 microglia cells.[Reference: WebLink]

Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (AA, family Liliaceae), which contains steroidal saponins, such as Timosaponin A3(TA3) and sarsasapogenin (SS), has been used as an antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and antidepressant in traditional Chinese medicine.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
In our previous study, TA3 and SS improved memory impairment induced by scopolamine in mice. AA and its main constituents have been reported to improve memory by elevating low muscarinic acetylcholine receptor density and inhibiting acetylcholine esterase in the brain. Recently, it is suggested that an inflammatory response mediated by the activation of microglia is a key event in the early stages of the neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, we investigated the inhibitory effect of TA3 and SS in TNF-α stimulated microglia and neuroblastoma cells. TNF-α activated NF-κB and pp38 signaling in these cells. The treatment with TA3 and SS inhibited the activation of the NF-κB and pp38 signaling in BV-2 microglial cells as well as in SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells. Of them, SS more potently inhibited them than TA3.
CONCLUSIONS:
These results suggest that TA3 and SS may have the therapeutic potential for various neurodegenerative diseases caused by inflammation.