Saponins of the Ivy Plant, Hedera helix, and their Leishmanicidic Activity

Abstract

Antileishmanial activity is reported for the first time for saponins of ivy, Hedera helix L., in vitro on promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania infantum and Leishmania tropica. The Compounds tested were an extract containing 60% of saponic complex (CS 60), the bidesmosides hederasaponin B, C and D (saponin K₁₀), their corresponding monodesmosides α-, β-, and δ-hederin, and hederagenin. CS 60 and bidesmosides have shown no effect. Monodesmosides were found to be as effective on promastigote forms as the reference compound (pentamidine). Against amastigote forms only hederagenin exhibited a significant activity which was equivalent to that of the reference compound (N-methylglucamine antimonate).

Key words

Hedera helix L. - Araliaceae - hederasaponin - hederin - hederagenin - leishmanicidic activity - Leishmania infantum - Leishmania tropica