Saponins-mediated potentiation of cisplatin accumulation and cytotoxicity in human colon cancer cells.

The triterpene saponins jenisseensosides A, B, C, D were found to increase the accumulation and cytotoxicity of the anticancer agent cisplatin in human colon tumor cells. These compounds are glycosides of quillaic acid whose fucose residue was acylated by a trans- or cis-p methoxycinnamic acid. In contrast, other saponins derivatives without this acyl moiety were not found to potentiate the accumulation and cytotoxicity of cisplatin. These results suggested the importance of the acyl moiety for activity.