Description
Tubeimoside I is a triterpene saponin originally found in Bolbostemma that exhibits anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer chemotherapeutic, and chemopreventive activities. Tubeimoside I inhibits LPS-stimulated production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, preventing the development of pulmonary edema and infiltration of inflammatory cells in vivo. Tubeimoside I also induces G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells, inhibiting cell proliferation; in other, similar cellular and animal models, this compound inhibits cell and tumor growth. Tubeimoside I binds tubulin at the colchicine site, inhibiting microtubule polymerization. Additionally, this compound inhibits production of HIV core protein p24 and infectivity of HIV-1 in vitro.