New results on saponins and saponin-rich plant-extracts enabling synergistic cytotoxicity with type-I-RIPs/lectins

Abstract

The synergistic cytotoxicity between saponins and lectins, especially the naturally very low cytotoxic activity showing type-I-RIPs (ribosome-inactivating protein type I)/lectins is known for years by now [1]. It has become a promising strategy in anti-cancer research [2]. While the pre-appliance of certain saponins can drastically amplify the cytotoxicity of the type-I-RIPs [3, 4], it may also minimize the required effective dose of these very expensive (especially when linked to human antibodies) and time-consuming to purify/to create substances [5].