Diosgenin: An Updated Pharmacological Review and Therapeutic Perspectives

Plants including Rhizoma polgonati, Smilax china, and Trigonella foenum-graecum contain a lot of diosgenin, a steroidal sapogenin. This bioactive phytochemical has shown high potential and interest in the treatment of various disorders such as cancer, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, and cardiovascular disease, in addition to being an important starting material for the preparation of several steroidal drugs in the pharmaceutical industry. This review aims to provide an overview of the in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies reporting the diosgenin's pharmacological effects and to discuss the safety issues. Preclinical studies have shown promising effects on cancer, neuroprotection, atherosclerosis, asthma, bone health, and other pathologies. Clinical investigations have demonstrated diosgenin's nontoxic nature and promising benefits on cognitive function and menopause. However, further well-designed clinical trials are needed to address the other effects seen in preclinical studies, as well as a better knowledge of the diosgenin's safety profile.

Automated summary

This review provides an overview of the pharmacological effects of diosgenin based on in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, as well as discussing the safety issues. The preclinical studies have shown promising effects on various pathologies, such as cancer, neuroprotection, atherosclerosis, asthma, and bone health. Clinical investigations have demonstrated the nontoxic nature of diosgenin and its potential benefits on cognitive function and menopause. However, further well-designed clinical trials and a better understanding of its safety profile are needed to address other potential effects.