In vitro antitumour and immunomodulating activity of saponins from Astragalus glycyphyllos

Many species of genus Astragalus have been extensively studied for their wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant, cytoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antitumour, anti-infective, immune-boosting, antihypertensive and antidiabetic effects. This study presents an in vitro evaluation of the anticancer and immunomodulating properties of saponins obtained from aerial parts of Astragalus glycyphyllos L. In a series of standard MTT experiments we examined the antiproliferative effects of a total saponin mixture, the purified saponin subfraction obtained from it, and the isolated triterpenoid saponin (AGOS1), against different bladder carcinoma and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma tumour models. The in vitro immunomodulating activity of AGOS1 was further examined on murine isolated spleen lymphocytes and peritoneal macrophages. Results showed greatest overall cytotoxicity of the purified subfraction and prominent immune stimulating effects of the isolated saponin on both cell lineages.