Antileishmanial activity of three saponins isolated from ivy, alpha-hederin, beta-hederin and hederacolchiside A(1), as compared to their action on mammalian cells cultured in vitro

The in vitro antileishmanial activity of three saponins isolated from ivy, alpha-hederin, beta-hederin and hederacolchiside A(1), was investigated on Leishmania infantum. The assessment of possible targets (membrane integrity , membrane potential, DNA synthesis and protein content) was performed in b oth Leishmania promastigotes and human monocytes (THP1 cells). Results obse rved in Leishmania showed that the saponins exhibited a strong antiprolifer ative activity on all stages of development of the parasite by altering mem brane integrity and potential: hederacolchiside A(1) appeared to be the mos t active compound against both promastigotes and amastigotes. Results obser ved in THP1 cells demonstrated that the saponins exerted also a potent anti proliferative activity against human monocytes, by producing a significant DNA synthesis inhibition. The ratio between antileishmanial activity on ama stigotes and toxicity to human cells suggested that the saponins could be c onsidered as possible antileishmanial drugs.