saikogenin A

Saikogenin A has certain inhibitory effect on the enzyme DPP-IV. At a concentration of 20 μg/mL DPP-IV inhibition is 47.6%. DPP-IV is a non-classical serine aminopeptidase from its amino terminus of polypeptides and proteins (N-terminus) removing Xaa-Pro dipeptide.

Saikogenin A, an anti-inflammatory drug, is present in the crude extract of a Chinese herbal plant called Tsai-Fu. It is less effective in adrenalectomized rats than in normal rats in reducing the carrageenin-induced edema . The anti-inflammatory action of it are due to an increase in corticosterone caused by the release of arenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and a direct effect on the process of inflammation.

DPP-IV