Effectiveness of saponins from Panax notoginseng against hepatic fibrosis

Hepatic fibrosis is an essential pathological process involved in various chronic hepatic diseases that may deteriorate into hepatic cirrhosis and hepatic cancer.Thus,it has become hot topics to seek bioactive components against hepatic fibrosis.Many researches found that saponins from Panax notoginseng have the potential to be a bioactive agent against hepatic fibrosis.This review summarizes the research findings that saponins from Panax notoginseng showed a protection of hepatic cells from the fibrosis by inhibition of hepatic stellate cells and synthesis of extracellular matrix,promoting apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells and degradation of extracellular matrix.The prospects of saponins from Panax notoginseng in management of hepatic fibrosis are also elaborated.