Abstract
Glioblastoma is a fast-growing glioma that develops from star-shaped glial cells that support the health of the nerve cells within the brain. Although researches about glioblastoma are increasing, effective treatments have not yet been developed. We investigate the effects of diosgenin and its glycosides on glioblastoma cells. We find that diosgenin and its glycosides have different effects on glioblastoma cells based on their different mechanisms. Glioblastoma cells whose proliferation is arrested by the presence of yam extracts exhibit stimulation of autophagy, including protein hydrolysis. Remarkably, coreajaponin,which is a glycoside of diosgenin, induces cell differentiation. Key to the differentiation is the activation of β-glucosidase, a glycosidase that exist in lysosomes. Coreajaponin stimulates autophagy activity in glioblastoma cells by signaling pathway of TGF, a cytokine that blocks growth signals.
