Isolation and Characterization of Hederagenin from Hedera helix L. Extract with Antitumor Activity

Hederagenin, a saponin known for its therapeutic effect was isolated from leaves of Hedera helix. Hederagenin was obtained by repeated maceration of ground plant material in 95% (v/v) ethanol. The ethanolic extract was subjected to acid hydrolysis and purification with acetonitrile. Isolated hederagenin (IHe) was analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS and compared to standard hederagenin. In vitro cytotoxicity of IHe was tested in a culture of fibroblast cells from NCTC clone L929 cell line by MTT assay, using dioscin as positive control. For the determination of IHe antitumor effect, in vitro tests were performed in a culture of human cervix carcinoma Hep-2 cells cultivated in the presence of different concentrations of sample for 48 h. IHe was biocompatible in the range of concentrations 2-200 mg/mL, in NCTC cell culture. The compound showed cell cytotoxicity in the concentration range of 100-400 mg/mL, in Hep-2 cell culture, revealing its antitumor activity. These results demonstrated the possible use of hederagenin isolated from H. helix extract as an antitumor agent.