Effect of soybean saponins and gypsophila saponin on morphology of colon carcinoma cells in culture.

The effect of saponins on colonic epithelial carcinoma cell (HCT-15) morphology was studied. Cells in culture were incubated with different concentrations of soybean saponins (SS) or gypsophila saponin (GS) for 24 hr. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a very rough and granular cell surface in cells treated with the lowest concentration of GS (40 ppm). Minor morphological changes were observed in the cell surface of soybean saponin-treated cells at a concentration of 1200 ppm. Examination by transmission electron microscopy indicated a dose-dependent effect of saponins on intracellular morphology of colonic epithelial carcinoma cells. Cells treated with 600 ppm or more of soybean saponins developed numerous cytoplasmic vesicles, had decreased density of cytoplasmic material and demonstrated deformations in plasma and nuclear membranes. Gypsophila saponin at a concentration of 40 ppm produced few changes in intracellular and membrane structure, whereas 80 ppm saponin induced the formation of vesicles. However, at both concentrations, changes in the density of cytoplasmic material was less extensive than in soybean saponin-treated cells. The highest concentration of gypsophila saponin used (160 ppm) completely destroyed the plasma membrane. These results indicate that soybean saponins and gypsophila saponin interact with cell membranes and induce significant dose-dependent cell morphological changes; however, they appear to act through different mechanisms.