Multidirectional effects of triterpene saponins on cancer cells - mini-review of in vitro studies

Abstract

Triterpene saponins (saponosides) are found in a variety of higher plants and display a wide range of pharmacological activities, including expectorant, anti-inflamatory, vasoprotective, gastroprotective and antimicrobial properties. Recently, a potential anticancer activity of saponins has been suggested by their cytotoxic, cytostatic, pro-apoptotic and anti-invasive effects. At high concentrations (more than 100 µM) saponins exert cytotoxic and haemolytic effects via permeabilization of the cell membranes. Noteworthy, the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, the induction of apoptosis and attenuation of cell invasiveness is observed in the presence of low saponin concentrations. Saponins might affect the expression of genes associated with malignancy. These alterations are directly related to the invasive phenotype of cancer cells and depend on "cellular context". It illustrates the relationships between the action of saponins, and the momentary genomic/proteomic status of cancer cells. Here, we discuss the hallmarks of anti-cancer activity of saponins with the particular emphasis on anti-invasive effect of diverse groups of saponins that have been investigated in relation to tumor therapy.

Saponins as chemosensitizing substances that improve effectiveness and selectivity of anticancer drug—Minireview of in vitro studies

“…Whereas steroidal saponins are distributed mainly in monocots, triterpene saponins are characteristic of dicots and can be found in a considerable number of families (Desai, Desai, & Kaur, ; Güçlü‐Ustündağ & Mazza, ; Sparg, Light, & van Staden, ). One of the most promising biological properties of triterpene saponins is their anticancer activity, which has been previously described by several research groups (Adesegun, Coker, & Hamann, ; Han, Fang, Li, Yang, & Huang, ; Koczurkiewicz et al, ; Peng, Zhou, de Kong, & Zhang, ).…”

“…properties of triterpene saponins is their anticancer activity, which has been previously described by several research groups (Adesegun, Coker, & Hamann, 2014;Han, Fang, Li, Yang, & Huang, 2013;Koczurkiewicz et al, 2015;Peng, Zhou, de Kong, & Zhang, 2010).…”

Chemical and pharmacological characterization of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Cyclamen hederifolium Ait. (Primulaceae) tuber

“…hederifolium (e.g. saponins) tubers may interfere with sterols in bacterial membrane and challenge its integrity [9,15,16] . Since varying degrees of antimicrobial activity were detected for different types of Cyclamen, we consider that the limitation of this study was of number of strains that were tested as well as the selection of solvents used for extraction.…”

“…hederifolium to its content of phenols and triterpenic saponosides [8,15,16] . There are saponins in C. hederifolium that have been identified as cyclamin, deglucocyclamin, cyclaminorin, hederifoliosides A-E and ardisicrenoside D. After isolation the were investigated for inducing apoptosis, cytotoxic and hemolytic effects by the change of the cell membrane permeability and intracellular signaling pathways [8,9,[14][15][16] .…”

Herbal Active Ingredients: An Emerging Potential for the Prevention and Treatment of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

“…in Cucurbitaceae [108,109]. At high concentrations (>100 μM), ginsenosides exert cytotoxic and haemolytic effects, while treatment at low concentrations (10∼100 μM) inhibits the proliferation of PTC cells, thereby indicating its multidirectional effects on cancer cells [110]. Despite similarities in the structure of dexamethasone, both 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD)-type ginsenosides (such as Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Rh2, and Compound K) and 20(S)-protopanaxatriol (PPT)-type ginsenosides (such as Re, Rf, Rg1, and Rh1) do not have any effects on glucocorticoid receptor transactivation or transrepression [111].…”