Effect of Hecogenin on DNA instability

Abstract

Hecogenin is a sapogenin found in Agave species in high quantities and is responsible for the many therapeutic effects of these medicinal plants. In addition, this compound is also widely used in the pharmaceutical industry as a precursor for the synthesis of steroidal hormones and anti-inflammatory drugs. Despite Hecogenin being widely used, little is known about its toxicological properties. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic effects of Hecogenin on HepG2 cells. Cytotoxicity was analyzed using the MTT test. Then, genotoxic and mutagenic potentials were assessed by comet assay and cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay, respectively. Cytotoxic effect was observed only when cells were exposed to concentrations of Hecogenin equal or higher than 100 μM. Although a lower concentration of Hecogenin caused DNA damage, a reduction on nuclear mutagenic markers in HepG2 cells was observed. The results indicated that Hecogenin treatment generated DNA damage, but in fact it would be repaired, avoiding dissemination of the damage throughout the cell division. Further studies need to be performed to confirm the observed protective effect of Hecogenin against genomic instability.

Saponins and Sapogenins of Agave With Respect to Diverse Pharmacological Role of Hecogenin

“…The result revealed that cell treated with hecogenin, no cytotoxic effect was observed on HepG2 cells in 10 μm and 50 μm concentrations range. Furthermore, exposure of cells to 100 μm of hecogenin demonstrated a slight reduction in cell viability, whereas treatments with concentration above than 100 μm, cell viability decreased significantly by 30% [49] ( fig. 8).…”

“…In this study they have prepared thirty three analogs and tested on various in vitro (cell proliferation, cytotoxicity assay, lactate dehydrogenase release assay, migration assay, invasion assay, protein extraction and immunoblotting assay) and in vivo model (orthotopic xenograft model by using MDA-MB-231/GFP human breast cancer cells), among which hecogenin 12-(30-methylphenyl thiosemicarbazone) have demonstrated the most potent antiproliferative, anti-migratory and anti-invasive activities at low concentration level [18]. Cruz et al, (2016) have reported that cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic effects of hecogenin on HepG2 cells. Hecogenin cytotoxicity was studied by performing MTT assay.…”