Cytotoxic Activity of Some Triterpenoid Saponins

The present note deals with the cytotoxic activity of purified saponins of hedera helix and of saponins isolated from other plants ( Calendula officinalis, C. arvensis and Sapindus mukurossi with a view to the detection of possible structure-activity relationships. The most active compounds are the monodesmosides which show some degree of cytotoxicity at concentrations of 10 micrograms/ml and above. Among them, alpha- and beta-hederin are the most potent substances.