Elucidation of the mechanism of diosgenin on the bioactive lipid synthetic pathway and verification of its effect on preventing chronic inflammation

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K20188
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: Okayama Prefectural University
• Principal Investigator: Izumi Tsukayama 岡山県立大学, 保健福祉学部, 助教 (30823249)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 慢性炎症 / 植物ステロールジオスゲニン / 抗炎症効果

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Focusing on the suppression effect of the bioactive lipid, prostaglandin (PG) E2 synthetic enzymes, we examined the mechanism of action of the plant-derived component diosgenin and its effect and safety on inflammatory diseases. We demonstrated that diosgenin suppressed COX-2 and mPGES-1 via the glucocorticoid receptor. We also found that in liver injury model mouse, diosgenin suppresses liver inflammation by suppressing the expression of both enzymes, particularly in the macrophages. On the other hand, diosgenin does not affect the PGE2 synthetic pathway in vascular endothelial cells. Therefore, diosgenin is expected to have anti-inflammatory effects without any side effects on the cardiovascular systems.

Free Research Field

栄養生化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

過剰なプロスタグランジン(PG)E2産生が、様々な病態の基盤になることから、疾病に関わるPGE2合成を抑制する食品機能性を探索し、科学的に実証することを目指している。本研究成果は、植物ステロールジオスゲニンの炎症性疾患への効果を示すことで、新規食品機能成分として健康長寿延伸に寄与できると考える。