Soyasaponins inhibit the proliferation of Hela cells by inducing apoptosis.

This research aimed at investigating the effect of soyasaponins on the proliferation of Hela cells. SS-II, the second fraction of soyasaponins, was separated by column chromatographic method with D101A macroporous resin from soybeans. SS-II could inhibit the proliferation of Hela cells by changing cell cycle distribution and inducing apoptosis. Furthermore, the loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential was observed by flow cytometry and the increase of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration was detected by confocal laser scanning microscope in apoptotic cells. At the same time, the nitric oxide content, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and inducible NOS activities were also increased. The above results suggested that the inhibitory effect of SS-II on Hela cell proliferation was caused by inducing apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway.