A comparative analysis of saponin-enriched fraction fromSilene vulgaris(Moench) Garcke,Sapindus mukorossi(Gaertn) andChlorophytum borivilianum(Santapau and Fernandes): anin vitrohemolytic and cytotoxicity evaluation

To explore the newer saponin resources,in vitrotoxicity of saponin-enriched fraction (SEF) extracted fromSilene vulgaris(SV) was evaluated for first time and compared within vitrotoxicity of SEF extracted fromSapindus mukorossi(SM) andChlorophytum borivilianum(CV). All extracted SEF from diverse resources were characterized by immersing TLC plates in 0.5% RBC suspension method, by ethanol: sulfuric acid method and by estimating hRst values. Each extracted SEF clearly portrayed specific pattern with varied hRst range. White spots against a pinkish-red background and greenish-black spots in case of immersion method and spraying method respectively were observed. After initial characterization,in vitro0.5% sheep RBC lytic activities and VERO cell cytotoxic activities (via SRB assay) of each extracted SEF were also evaluated. Furthermore, SEF of SV showed very less hemolytic activity compared to SM and CB. The HD(50)values for SV, SM, and CB were 736.7 +/- 2.824, 18.0 +/- 1.894, and 170.70 +/- 2.783 mu g/mL, respectively. SEF of SV (IC50 >= 200 mu g/mL) was less toxic for VERO cell line than SEF of SM (IC50= 150.8 mu g/mL) and CB (IC50= 137.1 mu g/mL). Hence, the SEF of SV was found to be less toxic and can be used as a new and safer source of saponins.