Abstract

The cytotoxic activity of extract and isolated saponin from leaves of Agave lechuguillawas investigated. Ethanol extract from leaves of A. lechuguilla exhibited cytotoxic activity against HeLa cells in vitro (50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) = 89 mg/ml). Bioassay-guided fractionation of this extract had led to the isolation of 5-b steroidal saponin with an IC₅₀ value against HeLa cells of 78 mg/ml. Neither the extract nor saponin showed significant cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells (IC₅₀ > 150 mg/ml). The extract and isolated saponins were tested for their cytotoxicity against Vero cells, where they showed IC₅₀ values of 126, 171.6 and 172.2 mg/ml, respectively.

Key words: Agave lechuguilla, cytotoxicity, plant extract, saponin.

Abbreviation

ATCC, American type culture collection; IC_50, concentration required to inhibit 50% of the initial cell viability of controls; LD₅₀, 50% lethal dose; SI, selective index.