Phytochemical Transformations of Panax notoginseng Saponins During Thermal Processing and Their Potential Implications for Iron Homeostasis Through Hepcidin-Related Pathways
5 affiliations
- 1First Clinical Medical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming 650500, China
- 2School of Chinese Materia Medica and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming 650500, China
- 3Yunnan Key Laboratory of Modern Separation Analysis and Substance Transformation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
- 4School of Life Sciences, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
- 5Engineering Research Center for Valorization of Unique Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Ministry of Education, Kunming 650500, China
Abstract
Panax notoginseng has been used in Chinese materia medica for centuries, with the classical principle “sheng da shu bu” distinguishing raw roots used for acute hemostasis from thermally processed roots traditionally used for blood tonification. However, direct experimental evidence linking processing-induced phytochemical changes to hepcidin regulation remains lacking. This review examines how thermal processing of P. notoginseng may influence hepcidin-related pathways by integrating evidence from phytochemical transformation, hepatocyte signaling, and gut–liver axis biology. Thermal processing induces deglycosylation, dehydration, and isomerization of native saponins, generating rare, more lipophilic ginsenosides, including 20(S)-Rg3, 20(R)-Rg3, Rk1, and Rg5. These products may have altered pharmacokinetic properties relative to their native precursors. Studies of isolated ginsenosides enriched during thermal processing in non-iron models provide indirect evidence for effects on upstream inflammatory or gut–liver pathways relevant to hepcidin induction. Microbial biotransformation of orally administered saponins may also modify intestinal barrier function and inflammatory context, but it is distinct from thermal processing. Whether a chemically characterized processed P. notoginseng preparation reduces hepatic HAMP expression or circulating hepcidin, preserves ferroportin abundance, or improves iron availability in vivo has not been established.
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BibTeX
@article{yan2026phytochemical,
title = {{Phytochemical Transformations of Panax notoginseng Saponins During Thermal Processing and Their Potential Implications for Iron Homeostasis Through Hepcidin-Related Pathways}},
author = {Wei Yan and Weiyou Xie and Ruolan Bai and Ting Wang and Bo Hou and Zhaojie Wang and Rongping Zhang},
journal = {Molecules},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3390/molecules31213937},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/3937},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Phytochemical Transformations of Panax notoginseng Saponins During Thermal Processing and Their Potential Implications for Iron Homeostasis Through Hepcidin-Related Pathways
AU - Wei Yan
AU - Weiyou Xie
AU - Ruolan Bai
AU - Ting Wang
AU - Bo Hou
AU - Zhaojie Wang
AU - Rongping Zhang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/01
JO - Molecules
DO - 10.3390/molecules31213937
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/3937
AB - Panax notoginseng has been used in Chinese materia medica for centuries, with the classical principle “sheng da shu bu” distinguishing raw roots used for acute hemostasis from thermally processed roots traditionally used for blood tonification. However, direct experimental evidence linking processing-induced phytochemical changes to hepcidin regulation remains lacking. This review examines how thermal processing of P. notoginseng may influence hepcidin-related pathways by integrating evidence from phytochemical transformation, hepatocyte signaling, and gut–liver axis biology. Thermal processing induces deglycosylation, dehydration, and isomerization of native saponins, generating rare, more lipophilic ginsenosides, including 20(S)-Rg3, 20(R)-Rg3, Rk1, and Rg5. These products may have altered pharmacokinetic properties relative to their native precursors. Studies of isolated ginsenosides enriched during thermal processing in non-iron models provide indirect evidence for effects on upstream inflammatory or gut–liver pathways relevant to hepcidin induction. Microbial biotransformation of orally administered saponins may also modify intestinal barrier function and inflammatory context, but it is distinct from thermal processing. Whether a chemically characterized processed P. notoginseng preparation reduces hepatic HAMP expression or circulating hepcidin, preserves ferroportin abundance, or improves iron availability in vivo has not been established.
SN - 1420-3049
ER -