Planta Med 2000; 66(4): 343-347
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-8541
Original Paper
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Antileishmanial Activity of Three Saponins Isolated from Ivy, α-Hederin, β-Hederin and Hederacolchiside A1, as Compared to Their Action on Mammalian Cells Cultured in Vitro

F. Delmas1,* , C. Di Giorgio1 , R. Elias2 , M. Gasquet1 , N. Azas1 , V. Mshvildadze3 , G. Dekanosidze3 , E. Kemertelidze3 , P. Timon-David1
  • 1 Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France
  • 2 Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France
  • 3 Institute of Pharmacochemistry, Academy of Sciences of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

Abstract

The in vitro antileishmanial activity of three saponins isolated from ivy, α-hederin, β-hederin and hederacolchiside A1, was investigated on Leishmania infantum. The assessment of possible targets (membrane integrity, membrane potential, DNA synthesis and protein content) was performed in both Leishmania promastigotes and human monocytes (THP1 cells). Results observed in Leishmania showed that the saponins exhibited a strong antiproliferative activity on all stages of development of the parasite by altering membrane integrity and potential: hederacolchiside A1 appeared to be the most active compound against both promastigotes and amastigotes. Results observed in THP1 cells demonstrated that the saponins exerted also a potent antiproliferative activity against human monocytes, by producing a significant DNA synthesis inhibition. The ratio between antileishmanial activity on amastigotes and toxicity to human cells suggested that the saponins could be considered as possible antileishmanial drugs.

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Dr. Florence Delmas

Laboratoire de Parasitologie Université de la Méditerranée

27 Bd. Jean Moulin

13385 Marseille cedex 05

France

copy: 04.91.80.26.12

Email: delmasf@Hotmail.com