Tigogenin is a saponin and acts as a natural plant steroid which induces apoptosis in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes. This action is associated with overexpression of COX-2 correlated with overproduction of endogenous PGE2. In addition, it was found that through the inhibition of PPAR gamma and via the p38 MAPK pathway tigogenin has the potential to prevent the development of osteoporosis and the related disorders.