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.