Hederagenin is a triterpene saponin that has been found in P. eximia with diverse biological activities. It increases production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduces colony formation, and induces apoptosis in cisplatin-resistant head and neck carcinoma (HNC) cells. In vivo, hederagenin (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) suppresses tumor growth in a cisplatin-resistant HNC mouse xenograft model. It reduces aortic atherosclerotic lesion area, serum cholesterol and LDL levels, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein levels in a rat model of atherosclerosis. Hederagenin (50 mg/kg) reduces ethanol-induced production of TNF-α, IL-6, and COX-2, alcohol dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) mRNA expression, and liver damage in a rat model of alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity. It also induces autophagy and inhibits oligomerization of α-synuclein in a mouse model of Parkinson''s disease induced by MPTP.
