Pharmacology Benefits of Cistanche Glycosides

Cistanche is the fleshy stem with dry scaly leaves of the perennial parasitic plant cistanche, which is believed to have the functions of tonifying the kidney, invigorating qi, moistening the bowel and defecating in traditional Chinese medicine. Modern pharmacological studies have found that the extract of cistanche contains a variety of compounds, such as polysaccharides, phenylethanolsides, iridoids, lignans, alkaloids, volatile components, etc. These compounds have been proven to improve sexual function, regulate neuroendocrine, improve the body’s immune function, antioxidant, promote substance metabolism, anti-Alzheimer’s disease, anti-Parkinson’s disease, senile constipation and female infertility, chronic renal disease and other functions.
Among the various components of Cistanche tubulosa extract, the phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) have garnered the most attention for their various pharmacological and toxicological properties. PhGs is the main active component of cistanche, namely the total glycoside. It is a kind of compound extracted from cistanche consisting of caffeic acid, glycogroup and phenylglycolin, including echinacoside and Acteoside. They are widely distributed in many plants and are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. These compounds have been found to exhibit a variety of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and are thus considered to be important therapeutic agents in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. They have been shown to have anti-aging, anti-fatigue, cardioprotective and neuroprotective properties. Currently, the glycosides of Cistanche are widely used for various medicinal purposes.

Echinacoside

One of the components isolated from Cistanche is called echinacoside, is a bioactive phenolic compound that is widely used in medicinal plant species. It is the major phenolic component in the roots of Echinacea angustifolia, with the active component caffeic acid-linked trisaccharide. It is an antioxidant that inhibits lipid peroxidation, oxidative DNA damage, and the formation of lipid peroxides. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activity. This substance reduces the levels of T-tau, which is implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, it promotes longevity in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans.
Echinacosides have been isolated from various parts of the plant. They show analgesic, antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-hepatic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-senile, anti-arthritic, anti-hyperglycemic, and hypolipidemic effects. They have also been reported to have hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects.
Several pharmacological activities have been investigated for echinacoside, include neuroprotective, anti-aging, cardiac and vaso-relaxing activities. It has been discovered to be a potent growth hormone activator in rat pituitary cells. It has been shown to stimulate cell proliferation, to inhibit apoptosis and to enhance the antioxidant status of mitochondria. It has also been shown to be effective in treating hyperlipidemia. It was also found that echinacoside is a vaso-relaxing compound that is capable of regulating reactive oxygen species.

Acteoside

Acetonide, also known as Verbascoside, is a type of water-soluble phenylethanoid glycoside compound that exists in cistanche tubulosa extracts and other plants. Acycoside has many physiological functions such as anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, neuroprotection, immune regulation, anti-tumor and wound healing. Another component isolated from Cistanche is called acteoside. It is a strong antioxidant, which also inhibits the activity of NF-kB p52 subunit. In addition, it decreases the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2. It also promotes the scavenging activity of ROS.