Effects of α-Hederin, a Saponin Extracted from Hedera helix, on Cells Culturedin vitro

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Abstract
In this work, we have analysed the effects of α-hederin, a monodesmosidic triterpenoid saponin isolated from Hedera helix, on mouse B16 melanoma cells and non-cancer mouse 3T3 fibroblasts cultured in vitro. Our results indicate that, in a serum-free medium, α-hederin is cytotoxic and inhibits proliferation in both cell lines at rather low concentrations (< 5 µg/ml) after only 8 hours of treatment. Its cytotoxicity decreases in the presence of serum in which BSA seems to be able to bind the saponin. α-Hederin also induces vacuolization of the cytoplasm and membrane alterations leading to cell death.

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