EFFECTS OF ALPHA-HEDERIN, A SAPONIN EXTRACTED FROM HEDERA-HELIX, ON CELLS CULTURED IN-VITRO

In this work, we have analysed the effects of alpha-hederin, a monodes mosidic 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, alpha-hederin is c ytotoxic and inhibits proliferation in both cell lines at rather low c oncentrations (< 5 mu g/ml) after only 8 hours of treatment. Its cytot oxicity decreases in the presence of serum in which BSA seems to be ab le to bind the saponin. alpha-Hederin also induces vacuolization of th e cytoplasm and membrane alterations leading to cell death.