alpha-Solanine, a bioactive compound mainly found in potato, exhibits anti-cancer activity towards multiple cancer cells. However, its effects on human choriocarcinoma have not been evaluated. In the present study, we investigated the effect of alpha-solanine on cell proliferation and apoptosis in human choriocarcinoma in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that alpha-solanine, at concentrations of 30 mu M or below, did not affect the cell viability of the choriocarcinoma cell line JEG-3. However, colony formation was significantly decreased and cell apoptosis was increased in response to 30...