α-Hederin from Hedera helix affects the binding behaviour of β2-adrenergic receptors as revealed by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

Live cell imaging experiments with α-hederin pretreated cells revealed an inhibition of β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) internalization after agonistic stimulation with terbutaline. Additionally, such treated cells also showed an increased intracellular cAMP level. These effects were not found for hederacoside C and hederagenin, which are also saponins of dry extracts obtained from ivy leaves (Hedera helix L.). Our findings have clearly demonstrated that α-hederin is able to influence regulatory processes affecting the β2AR activity [1]. Therefore, the dynamics of β2AR-ligand complexes in the plasma membrane of hu…