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Sarsaparilla has a long history of use in herbal medicine systems around the world as a blood cleanser and for a wide variety of skin conditions.* For more information about sarsaparilla (Smilax officinalis), please refer to the Database File for Sarsaparilla in the Tropical Plant Database. To see pictures of sarsaparilla, click here.

Traditional Uses:* for psoriasis, dermatitis, leprosy, and other skin disorders; as a blood purifier and general detoxification aid; as a general tonic (tones, balances, strengthens), stimulant, and hormonal regulator; for arthritis, rheumatism and autoimmune disorders which cause inflammation; for syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases

Suggested Use: This plant is best prepared as a decoction. Use one teaspoon of powder for each cup of water. Bring to a boil and gently boil in a covered pot for 20 minutes. Allow to cool and settle for 10 minutes and strain warm liquid into a cup (leaving the settled powder in the bottom of the pan). It is traditionally taken in 1 cup amounts 2-3 times daily. For more complete instructions on preparing herbal decoctions, see the Methods for Preparing Herbal Remedies Page.

Contraindications: Large doses may cause gastrointestinal upset.

Drug Interactions: Sarsaparilla may increase the absorption of some drugs and compounds. Some report that it can increase the absorption of Digitalis glycosides while accelerating the elimination of hypnotic drugs.

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Published Research on Sarsaparilla

All available third-party research on sarsaparilla can be found at PubMed. A partial listing of the published third party research on sarsaparilla updated through Feb 2019 is shown below:

Anti-inflammatory & Anti-Arthritic Actions:
Dong, L., et al. "Corrigendum to "Astilbin from Smilax glabra Roxb. attenuates inflammatory responses in complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis rats." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2018 Dec; 2018: 6279328.
Tettey, C., et al. "Smilax china leaf extracts suppress pro-inflammatory adhesion response in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and proliferation of HeLa cells." Arch. Physiol. Biochem. 2018 Oct:1-5.
Xie, Y., et al. "Anti-inflammatory furostanol saponins from the rhizomes of Smilax china L." Steroids. 2018 Dec; 140: 70-76.
Bao, Y., et al. "Therapeutic effects of Smilax glabra and Bolbostemma paniculatum on rheumatoid arthritis using a rat paw edema model." Biomed. Pharmacother. 2018 Dec; 108: 309-315.
Shu, J., et al. "Three new flavonoid glycosides from Smilax glabra and their anti-inflammatory activity." Nat. Prod. Res. 2018 Aug; 32(15): 1760-1768.
Dong, L., et al. "Astilbin from Smilax glabra Roxb. attenuates inflammatory responses in complete freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis rats." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2017; 2017: 8246420.
Tian, L., et al. "Steroidal Saponins from the genus Smilax and their biological activities." Nat. Prod. Bioprospect. 2017 Aug; 7(4): 283-298.
Zhong, C., et al. "Phenolic compounds from the rhizomes of Smilax china L. and their anti-inflammatory activity." Molecules. 2017 Apr; 22(4).
Lu, C., et al. "Polysaccharides from Smilax glabra inhibit the pro-inflammatory mediators via ERK1/2 and JNK pathways in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells." Carbohydr. Polym. 2015 May; 122: 428-36.
Lu, C., et al. "Optimization of astilbin extraction from the rhizome of Smilax glabra, and evaluation of its anti-inflammatory effect and probable underlying mechanism in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 macrophages." Molecules. 2015 Jan; 20(1): 625-44.
Lu, C., et al. "Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of phenolic-enriched extracts of Smilax glabra." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2014; 2014: 910438.
Luo, Y., et al. "[Effect of Smilax china bioactive fraction on tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-4 contents in uterine tissue of rats with chronic pelvic inflammatory disease]." Nan. Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao. 2014 Feb; 34(2): 236-40.
Ma, Y., et al. "[Pharmaceutical screening of the effective fraction from Smilax for treatment of chronic pelvic inflammatory disease]." Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao. 2013 Jan; 33(1): 145-9.
He, X., et al. "[Comparison of anti-inflammatory effect and analysis of astilbin red and white transverse section Smilax glabra in 28 collection sites]." Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2012 Dec; 37(23): 3595-8.
Liagre, B., et al. "Inhibition of human rheumatoid arthritis synovial cell survival by hecogenin and tigogenin is associated with increased apoptosis, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activity and upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2." Int. J. Mol. Med. 2007 Oct; 20(4): 451-60.
Shao, B., et al. "Steroidal saponins from Smilax china and their anti-inflammatory activities." Phytochemistry. 2007 Mar; 68(5): 623-30.
Shu, X., et al. "The anti-inflammation effects of Smilax china ethylacetate extract in rats and mice." Zhongguo. Zhong. Yao. Za. Zhi. 2006 Feb; 31(3): 239-43.
Shu, X., et al. "Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of Smilax china L. aqueous extract." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Feb; 103(3): 327-32.
Ji, W., et al. "Effects of Rebixiao granules on blood uric acid in patients with repeatedly attacking acute gouty arthritis." Chin. J. Integr. Med. 2005 Mar; 11(1): 15-21.
Jiang, J., et al. "Immunomodulatory activity of the aqueous extract from rhizome of Smilax glabra in the later phase of adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2003; 85(1): 53-9.
Ageel, A., et al. "Experimental studies on antirheumatic crude drugs used in Saudi traditional medicine." Drugs Exp. Clin. Res. 1989; 15(8): 369-72.

Kidney Protecting Actions:
Huang, L., et al. " The anti-hyperuricemic effect of four astilbin stereoisomers in Smilax glabra on hyperuricemic mice." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2019 Mar 6. pii: S0378-8741
Wang, S., et al. " The flavonoid-rich fraction from rhizomes of Smilax glabra Roxb. ameliorates renal oxidative stress and inflammation in uric acid nephropathy rats through promoting uric acid excretion." Biomed. Pharmacother. 2019 Mar; 111: 162-168.
Luo, Q., et al. "Total flavonoids from Smilax glabra Roxb blocks epithelial-mesenchymal transition and inhibits renal interstitial fibrosis by targeting miR-21/PTEN signaling." J. Cell. Biochem. 2019 Mar; 120(3): 3861-3873.
Liu, Y., et al. "Protective effects of sarsasapogenin against early stage of diabetic nephropathy in rats." Phytother. Res. 2018 Aug; 32(8): 1574-1582.
Wang, M, Zhao., et al. "Astilbin improves potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemia and kidney injury through regulating oxidative stress and inflammation response in mice." Biomed. Pharmacother. 2016 Oct; 83: 975-988.
Chen, L., et al. "Astilbin attenuates hyperuricemia and ameliorates nephropathy in fructose-induced hyperuricemic rats." Planta Med. 2011 Nov; 77(16): 1769-73.
Chen, L., et al. "Anti-hyperuricemic and nephroprotective effects of Smilax china L." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2011 May; 135(2): 399-405.
Li, G., et al. "Effect of astilbin on experimental diabetic nephropathy in vivo and in vitro." Planta Med. 2009 Nov; 75(14): 1470-5.
Humpert, F. "The effect of a sarsaparilla preparation (renotrat) in chronic nephritis, with particular reference to the uric acid content of the blood and urine." Klin. Wochschr. 1933; 12: 1696.
Rittmann, R., al. "A new agent in kidney therapy." Klin. Wochschr. 1930; 9: 401-8.

Liver Protecting Actions:
Murali, A., et al. "Effect of Smilax zeylanica roots and rhizomes in paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity." J. Complement. Integr. Med. 2012 Nov 9; 9(1).
Rafatullah, S., et al. "Hepatoprotective and safety evaluation studies on sarsaparilla." Int. J. Pharmacognosy 1991; 29: 296-301.

Immune Stimulant & Immune Modulating Actions:
Wang, Y., et al. "Smiglaside A ameliorates LPS-induced acute lung injury by modulating macrophage polarization via AMPK-PPARγ pathway." Biochem. Pharmacol. 2018 Oct; 156: 385-395.
Lim, S., et al "Timosaponin AIII and its metabolite sarsasapogenin ameliorate colitis in mice by inhibiting NF-κB and MAPK activation and restoring Th17/Treg cell balance." Int. Immunopharmacol. 2015 Apr; 25(2): 493-503.
Zheng, Z., et al. "Macrophage biospecific extraction and HPLC-ESI-MSn analysis for screening immunological active components in Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma." J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 2013 Apr; 77: 44-8.
Wang, M., et al. "Structural characterization and macrophage immunomodulatory activity of a novel polysaccharide from Smilax glabra Roxb." Carbohydr. Polym. 2017 Jan; 156: 390-402.
Yi, H., et al. "Astilbin inhibits the adhesion of T lymphocytes via decreasing TNF-alpha and its associated MMP-9 activity and CD44 expression." Int. Immunopharmacol. 2008 Oct; 8(10): 1467-74.
Guo, J., et al. "Identification of a new metabolite of astilbin, 3'-O-methylastilbin, and its immunosuppressive activity against contact dermatitis." Clin Chem. 2007 Mar; 53(3): 465-71.
Spelman, K., et al. "Modulation of cytokine expression by traditional medicines: a review of herbal immunomodulators." Altern. Med. Rev. 2006 Jun; 11(2): 128-50.
Chu, K., et al. "Smilaxin, a novel protein with immunostimulatory, antiproliferative, and HIV-1-reverse transcriptase inhibitory activities from fresh Smilax glabra rhizomes." Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 2006 Feb; 340(1): 118-24.
Wang, J., et al. "Astilbin prevents concanavalin A-induced liver injury by reducing TNF-alpha production and T lymphocytes adhesion." J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 2004; 56(4): 495-502.
Jiang, J., et al. "Immunomodulatory activity of the aqueous extract from rhizome of Smilax glabra in the later phase of adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2003; 85(1): 53-9.
Chen, T., et al. "A new flavanone isolated from Rhizoma smilacis glabrae and the structural requirements for its derivatives for preventing immunological hepatocyte damage." Planta Med. 1999; 65(1): 56-9.
Santos, W., et al. "Haemolytic activities of plant saponins and adjuvants. Effect of Periandra mediterranea saponin on the humoral response to the FML antigen of Leishmania donovani." Vaccine 1997; 15(9): 1024-29.

Anti-Psoriasis & Anti-Leprosy Actions:
Di, T., et al. "Astilbin inhibits Th17 cell differentiation and ameliorates imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions in BALB/c mice via Jak3/Stat3 signaling pathway." Int. Immunopharmacol. 2016 Mar; 32: 32-38.
Vijayalakshmi, A., et al. "Screening of flavonoid "quercetin" from the rhizome of Smilax china Linn. for anti-psoriatic activity." Asian Pac J. Trop. Biomed. 2012 Apr; 2(4): 269-75.
Juhlin, L., et al. "The influence of treatment and fibrin microclot generation in psoriasis." Br. J. Dermatol. 1983; 108: 33-7.
Rollier, R. "Treatment of lepromatous leprosy by a combination of DDS and sarsaparilla (Smilax ornata)." Int. J. Leprosy 1959; 27: 328-40.
Thurman, F. "The treatment of psoriasis with sarsaparilla compound." New England Journal of Medicine 1942; 337: 128-33.

Antioxidant Actions:
Zhu, Y., et al. "Neuroprotective effects of astilbin on MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease mice: Glial reaction, α-synuclein expression and oxidative stress." Int. Immunopharmacol. 2019 Jan; 66: 19-27.
Lee, D., et al. "Using phytochemicals to investigate the activation of nicotine detoxification via upregulation of CYP2A6 in Animal models exposed tobacco smoke condensate by intratracheal instillation." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2018 Dec; 2018: 7635197.
Lee, H., et al. "Chemical constituents of Smilax china L. stems and their inhibitory activities against glycation, aldose reductase, α-glucosidase, and lipase." Molecules. 2017 Mar; 22(3).
Wang, Y., et al. "Smiglaside A ameliorates LPS-induced acute lung injury by modulating macrophage polarization via AMPK-PPARγ pathway." Biochem. Pharmacol. 2018 Oct; 156: 385-395.
Lincha, V., et al. "Effects of constituent compounds of Smilax china on nicotine-induced endothelial dysfunction in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Biol. Pharm. Bull. 2016; 39(6): 984-92.
Kong, G., et al. "Astilbin alleviates LPS-induced ARDS by suppressing MAPK signaling pathway and protecting pulmonary endothelial glycocalyx." Int. Immunopharmacol. 2016 Jul; 36: 51-58.
Cai, Y., et al. "Medicinal effect and its JP2/RyR2-based mechanism of Smilax glabra flavonoids on angiotensin II-induced hypertrophy model of cardiomyocytes." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Jul; 169: 435-40.
Lu, C., et al. "Inhibitory effects of chemical compounds isolated from the rhizome of Smilax glabra on nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor- α production in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cell." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2015; 2015: 602425.
Lu, C., et al. "Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of phenolic-enriched extracts of Smilax glabra." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2014; 2014: 910438.
Kim, K., et al. "Smilax china root extract detoxifies nicotine by reducing reactive oxygen species and inducing CYP2A6." J. Food Sci. 2014 Oct; 79(10): H2132-9.
Park, G., et al. "Antioxidant effects of the sarsaparilla via scavenging of reactive oxygen species and induction of antioxidant enzymes in human dermal fibroblasts." Environ. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 2014 Jul; 38(1): 305-15.
Sang, H., et al. "The protective effect of Smilax glabra extract on advanced glycation end products-induced endothelial dysfunction in HUVECs via RAGE-ERK1/2-NF-κB pathway." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2014 Aug; 155(1): 785-95.
Yoon, S., et al. "Fermentation of Smilax china root by Aspergillus usami and Saccharomyces cerevisiae promoted concentration of resveratrol and oxyresveratrol and the free-radical scavenging activity." J. Sci. Food Agric. 2014 Jul; 94(9): 1822-6.
Diao, H., et al. "Astilbin protects diabetic rat heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury via blockade of HMGB1-dependent NF-κB signaling pathway." Food Chem. Toxicol. 2014 Jan; 63: 104-10.
Xia, D., et al. "Protective effect of Smilax glabra extract against lead-induced oxidative stress in rats." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2010 Jul; 130(2): 414-20.
Ranilla, L., et al. "Phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity and in vitro inhibitory potential against key enzymes relevant for hyperglycemia and hypertension of commonly used medicinal plants, herbs and spices in Latin America." Bioresour. Technol. 2010 Jun; 101(12): 4676-89.
Ma, D., et al. "Effect of sarsasapogenin and its derivatives on the stimulus coupled responses of human neutrophils." Clin. Chim. Acta. 2001 Dec; 314(1-2): 107-12.  

Antidepressant, Memory Enhancement, & Anti-Alzheimer's Actions:
He, X., et al. "Smilagenin protects dopaminergic neurons in chronic MPTP/probenecid-lesioned Parkinson's disease models." Front. Cell. Neurosci. 2019 Feb 5;13:18.
Dong, D., et al. "Astrocytes mediated the nootropic and neurotrophic effects of Sarsasapogenin-AA13 via upregulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Am. J. Transl. Res. 2017 Sep; 9(9): 4015-4025.
Huang C., et al. "Sarsasapogenin-AA13 ameliorates Aβ-induced cognitive deficits via improving neuroglial capacity on Aβ clearance and antiinflammation." CNS Neurosci. Ther. 2017 Jun; 23(6): 498-509.
Feng, B., et al. "Sarsasapogenin reverses depressive-like behaviors and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors induced by olfactory bulbectomy." Neurosci. Lett. 2017 Feb; 639: 173-178.
Sy, L., et al. "Identification of "sarsasapogenin-aglyconed" timosaponins as novel Aβ-lowering modulators of amyloid precursor protein processing." Chem. Sci. 2016 May; 7(5): 3206-3214.
Li, J., et al. "Reversal of dopamine neurons and locomotor ability degeneration in aged rats with smilagenin." Neuroscience. 2013 Aug; 245: 90-8.
Zhang, R., et al. "Smilagenin attenuates beta amyloid (25-35)-induced degeneration of neuronal cells via stimulating the gene expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor." Neuroscience. 2012 May; 210: 275-85.
Hu, Y., et al. "Regulation of M1-receptor mRNA stability by smilagenin and its significance in improving memory of aged rats." Neurobiol. Aging. 2010 Jun; 31(6): 1010-9.
Zhang, Y., et al. "Role of glial cell derived neurotrophic factor in the protective effect of smilagenin on rat mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons damaged by MPP+." FEBS Lett. 2008 Mar; 582(6): 956-60.
Jeon, S., et al. "Beta-secretase (BACE1)-inhibiting stilbenoids from Smilax Rhizoma." Phytomedicine. 2007 Jun; 14(6): 403-8.
Ban, J., et al. "Catechin and epicatechin from Smilacis chinae rhizome protect cultured rat cortical neurons against amyloid beta protein (25-35)-induced neurotoxicity through inhibition of cytosolic calcium elevation." Life Sci. 2006 Nov; 79(24) :2251-9.
Ren, L., et al. "Antidepressant-like effects of sarsasapogenin from Anemarrhena asphodeloides BUNGE (Liliaceae)." Biol. Pharm. Bull. 2006 Nov; 29(11): 2304-6.
Ban, J., et al. "Protection of amyloid beta protein (25-35)-induced neurotoxicity by methanol extract of Smilacis chinae rhizome in cultured rat cortical neurons." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Jun; 106(2): 230-7.
Barraclough , P., et al. "5-.beta.-sapogenin and pseudosapogenin derivatives and their use in the treatment of dementia." United States Patent 7,138,427: November 21, 2006.
Hu Y, et al. "A new approach to the pharmacological regulation of memory: Sarsasapogenin improves memory by elevating the low muscarinic acetylcholine receptor density in brains of memory-deficit rat models." Brain Res. 2005 Oct; 1060(1-2): 26-39.
Xia , Z. et al. Steroidal sapogenins and their derivatives for treating Alzheimer's disease." United States Patent 6,812,213; November 2, 2004.

Anti-obesity & Antidiabetic Actions:
Yang, L., et al. "Dietary supplement of Smilax china L. ethanol extract alleviates the lipid accumulation by activating AMPK pathways in high-fat diet fed mice." Nutr. Metab.. 2019 Jan 21; 16:6.
Pérez-Nájera, V., et al. "Smilax aristolochiifolia root extract and its compounds chlorogenic acid and astilbin inhibit the activity of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2018 Jun; 2018: 6247306.
Turdu, G., et al. "Plant dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors as antidiabetic agents: a brief review." Future Med Chem. 2018 May; 10(10): 1229-1239.
Liu, Y., et al. "Protective effects of sarsasapogenin against early stage of diabetic nephropathy in rats." Phytother. Res. 2018 Aug; 32(8): 1574-1582.
Lee H., et al. "Chemical constituents of Smilax china L. stems and their inhibitory activities against glycation, aldose reductase, α-glucosidase, and lipase." Molecules. 2017 Mar 11; 22(3).
Kang, Y., et al. "Antiobesity effects of the water-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract of Smilax china L. leaf in 3T3-L1 adipocytes." Nutr. Res. Pract. 2015 Dec; 9(6): 606-12.
Pereira, F., et al. "Antihyperlipidemic and antihyperglycemic effects of the Brazilian salsaparrilhas Smilax brasiliensis Spreng. (Smilacaceae) and Herreria salsaparrilha Mart. (Agavaceae) in mice treated with a high-refined-carbohydrate containing diet." Food Res. Int. 2015 Oct; 76(Pt 3): 366-372.
Sang, H., et al. "The protective effect of Smilax glabra extract on advanced glycation end products-induced endothelial dysfunction in HUVECs via RAGE-ERK1/2-NF-κB pathway. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2014 Aug; 155(1): 785-95.

Anti-Allergy Actions:
Ki, N., et al. "The hot-water extract of Smilacis Chinae Rhizome suppresses 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene and house dust mite-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in mice." Phytother. Res. 2016 Apr; 30(4): 636-45.
Itharat, A., et al. "Anti-allergic activities of Smilax glabra rhizome extracts and its isolated compounds." J. Med. Assoc Thai. 2015 Apr; 98 Suppl 3: S66-74.

Cytotoxic & Anticancerous Actions:
Tettey, C., et al. "Smilax china leaf extracts suppress pro-inflammatory adhesion response in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and proliferation of HeLa cells." Arch. Physiol. Biochem. 2018 Oct 30: 1-5.
She, T., et al. "Sarsaparilla (Smilax glabra Rhizome) extract activates redox-dependent ATM/ATR pathway to inhibit cancer cell growth by S phase arrest, apoptosis, and Autophagy." Nutr. Cancer. 2017 Nov-Dec; 69(8): 1281-1289.
Fu, S., et al. "Flavonoids and tannins from Smilax china L. rhizome induce apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway and MDM2-p53 signaling in human lung adenocarcinoma cells." Am. J. Chin. Med. 2017; 45(2): 369-384.
Zhang, C., et al. "Astilbin decreases proliferation and improves differentiation in HaCaT keratinocytes." Biomed. Pharmacother. 2017 Sep; 93: 713-720.
Hao, G., et al. "Smilax glabra Roxb targets Akt(p-Thr308) and inhibits Akt-mediated signaling pathways in SGC7901 cells." J. Drug Target. 2016; 24(6): 557-65.
She, T., et al. "Sarsaparilla (Smilax glabra rhizome) extract inhibits migration and invasion of cancer cells by suppressing TGF-β1 pathway." PLoS One. 2015 Mar; 10(3): e0118287.
She, T., et al. "Sarsaparilla (Smilax glabra rhizome) extract inhibits cancer cell growth by S phase arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy via redox-dependent ERK1/2 pathway." Cancer Prev. Res. 2015 May; 8(5): 464-74.
Hu, L., et al. "Smilax china L. rhizome extract inhibits nuclear factor-κB and induces apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells." Chin. J. Integr. Med. 2015 Dec; 21(12): 907-15.
Nho, K., et al. "Anti-metastatic effect of Smilax china L. extract on MDA-MB-231 cells." Mol. Med. Rep. 2015 Jan; 11(1): 499-502.
Yu, H., et al. "Extracellular signal regulated kinase inhibition is required for methanol extract of Smilax china L. induced apoptosis through death receptor 5 in human oral mucoepidermoid carcinoma cells." Mol. Med. Rep. 2014 Feb; 9(2): 663-8.
Xia, D., et al. "Protective effects of the flavonoid-rich fraction from rhizomes of Smilax glabra Roxb. on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats." J. Membr. Biol. 2013 Jun; 246(6): 479-85.
Shen, S., et al. "Sarsasapogenin induces apoptosis via the reactive oxygen species-mediated mitochondrial pathway and ER stress pathway in HeLa cells." Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 2013 Nov; 441(2): 519-24.
Challinor, V., et al. "Steroidal saponins from the roots of Smilax sp.: structure and bioactivity." Steroids. 2012 Apr; 77(5):504-11.
Gao, Y., et al. "Mitochondrial apoptosis contributes to the anti-cancer effect of Smilax glabra Roxb." Toxicol Lett. 2011 Nov; 207(2): 112-20.
Ni, Y., et al. "Mitochondrial ROS burst as an early sign in sarsasapogenin-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells." Cell. Biol. Int. 2008 Mar; 32(3): 337-43.
Trouillas, P., et al. "Structure-function relationship for saponin effects on cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in the human 1547 osteosarcoma cells: a molecular modelling approach of natural molecules structurally close to diosgenin." Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2005 Feb; 13(4): 1141-9.
Thabrew, M., et al. "Cytotoxic effects of a decoction of Nigella sativa, Hemidesmus indicus and Smilax glabra on human hepatoma HepG2 cells." Life Sci. 2005 Aug; 77(12): 1319-30.

Antimicrobial Actions:
Tian, L., et al. "Steroidal saponins from the genus smilax and their biological activities." Nat. Prod. Bioprospect. 2017 Aug; 7(4): 283-298.
Wang, W., et al. "Anti-HIV-1 activities of extracts and phenolics from Smilax china L." Pak. J. Pharm. Sci. 2014 Jan; 27(1): 147-51.
Xu, S,., et al. "Chemical constituents from the rhizomes of Smilax glabra and their antimicrobial activity." Molecules. 2013 May; 18(5): 5265-87.
Ooi, L., et al. "Antiviral and anti-proliferative glycoproteins from the rhizome of Smilax glabra Roxb (Liliaceae)." Am. J. Chin. Med. 2008; 36(1): 185-95.
Sautour, M., et al. "Bioactive steroidal saponins from Smilax medica." Planta Med. 2006 Jun; 72(7): 667-70.
Tewtrakul S, et al. "Anti-HIV-1 protease- and HIV-1 integrase activities of Thai medicinal plants known as Hua-Khao-Yen." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Apr; 105(1-2): 312-5.
Sautour, M., et al. "Steroidal saponins from Smilax medica and their antifungal activity." J. Nat. Prod. 2005 Oct; 68(10): 1489-93.
Ooi, L. S., et al. "New mannose-binding lectin isolated from the rhizome of Sarsaparilla Smilax glabra Roxb. (Liliaceae)." J. Agric. Food Chem. 2004 Oct; 52(20): 6091-5.
Caceres, A., et al. "Plants used in Guatemala for the treatment of dermatophytic infections. 1. Screening for antimycoctic activity of 44 plant extracts." J. Ethnopharmacol. 1991; 31(3): 263-76.
Tschesche, R. "Advances in the chemistry of antibiotic substances from higher plants." H. Wagner and L. Horhammer. Pharmacognosy and Phytochemisty. New York: Springer Verlag, 1971. 274-76.
Fitzpatrick, F. "Plant substances active against mycobacterium tuberculosis." Antibiotics and Chemotherapy 1954; 4(5): 528-36.

Herb-Drug Interactions:
Li, Y., et al. "Smilax glabra rhizoma affects the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of methotrexate by increasing the P glycoprotein mRNA expression in rats after oral administration. Mol. Med. Rep. 2017 Nov; 16(5): 7633-7640.

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