Recent Progress in Health Benefits of Hederagenin and Its Glycosides

Hederagenin, a pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin, has significant therapeutic potential, particularly for its anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties, which are linked to its ability to modulate cellular signaling pathways like NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK. However, its low bioavailability limits clinical application. Recent studies emphasize chemical modifications, especially at the C-28 position, to enhance its bioactivity and cytotoxicity. Notably, hederagenin's pro-oxidant function in cancer cells, through inhibition of the Nrf2-ARE pathway, presents a promising strategy for selective chemotherapy. To overcome pharmacokinetic challenges, the review suggests focusing on derivatization with multi-target hybrids and advanced delivery systems.