Abstract

A steroidal saponin named pennogenin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2) [α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-glucoyranoside(TTB2) has been successfully separated from the n-BuOH extracts of Trillium tschonoskii Maxim and is able to induce cytotoxicity to some types cancer cells. The present study aimed to investigate how this novel saponinin duces cytotoxicity in malignant sarcoma cells and to clarify its molecular mechanisms of action. It was determined this steroidal saponin induced the apoptosis in Rh1 cells and activated caspase-3 and caspase-9. Additionally, it disrupted the mitochondrial membrane potential and altered the expression of bax and bcl-2. Thus, the results of present study identified that an anticancer saponin isolated from Trillium tschonoskii Maxim may be developed as a potential novel therapeutic strategy to treat certain types of cancer, including lung cancer and lung sarcoma.