Tubeimoside-1, triterpenoid saponin, as a potential natural cancer killer

Abstract

Nature, an expert craftsman of molecules, has generated extensive array of bioactive molecular entities. It persists as an inexhaustible resource for discovery of drugs and supplied enormous scaffold diversification for development into effectual drugs to treat multiple pathological conditions. This review provides an update on the sources, biological, and pharmacological effects of nature's gift, a triterpenoid saponin, tubeimoside-1 which is a major bioactive constituent of the bulb of Bolbostemma paniculatum. Tubeimoside-1 is known to possess various pharmacological properties such as anti-cancer, anti-HIV, and antiinflammatory. Recently, anti-proliferative potential of tubeimoside-1 has been widely studied. The present review article seeks to cover the recent developments of tubeimoside-1's pharmacological position in the arena of herbal drugs, providing an insight into its current status in therapeutic pursuits. This anti-cancer triterpenoid saponin fight cancer progression by induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and inhibiting metastasis by specifically targeting multiple signaling pathways those are usually deregulated in various cancers. The reported data recommend tubeimoside-1's mutitarget activity in preference to single effect that may perform an imperative role towards developing tubeimoside-1 into potential pharmacological drug.