Verbascoside is a water-soluble phenylethanol glycoside compound with an o-phenolic hydroxyl structure, which results in poor chemical stability and a significantly accelerated degradation rate in alkaline environments. This compound exhibits multiple pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-tumor, and neuroprotective activities, but its clinical application is limited by its instability in vivo and in vitro. As a standard substance in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, it is used for quality control of traditional Chinese medicines, with a characteristic value of 95.2%.
1. Antioxidative stress, antagonize neurotoxicity, and inhibit neuronal apoptosis.
2. Regulate immune function. Verbascoside can inhibit the expression of a series of pro-inflammatory factors (such as IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α) by blocking IL-32, thereby blocking the NF-κB pathway and inhibiting the activation of macrophage-like cells, exerting an anti-inflammatory effect.
3. Inhibit amyloid toxicity. Verbascoside can counteract synaptic damage and neuronal apoptosis caused by Aβ1-42 deposition by increasing the expression of SHY (a protein that regulates neurotransmitter release) in brain neurons.
4. Regulate autophagy. Verbascoside can both inhibit excessive autophagy activation and maintain a certain level of autophagic activity, protecting neurons by regulating the balance of autophagy.