Saponins as cytotoxic agents: a review.
Saponins are natural glycosides which possess a wide range of pharmacological properties including cytotoxic activity. In this review, the recent studies (2005-2009) concerning the cytotoxic activity of saponins have been summarized. The correlations between the structure and the cytotoxicity of both steroid and triterpenoid saponins have been described as well as the most common mechanisms of action.
Podolak
Irma
I
Department of Pharmacognosy, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Cracow, Poland.
Galanty
Agnieszka
A
Sobolewska
Danuta
D