Swertiamarin for the Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome

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Metabolic syndrome, formerly termed ‘Syndrome X’, is a disease of energy metabolism and storage. Metabolic syndrome is characterized by hyperglycemia/impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and obesity. Swertiamarin is a secoiridoid glycoside extensively found in the Gentianaceae family, which has been reported to cure many diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, arthritis, malaria, and abdominal ulcers. The present book chapter aims to compile up-to-date information on the progress made in the protective role of swertiamarin in metabolic syndrome to provide a guide for future research on this bioactive molecule. In preclinical studies, swertiamarin and its metabolites have shown a wide range of biological activities such as antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, antiatherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. These activities were mainly due to its effect on various signaling pathways associated with swertiamarin, such as PPAR-gene upregulation, P-407-induction, inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase, LDL oxidation, lipid peroxidation markers and stimulation of antioxidant enzymes. This book chapter presents evidence supporting that swertiamarin could be considered as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of metabolic syndrome.