ñ-Hederin (alpha-hederin) is a water-soluble pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin found in the seeds of Nigella sativa and leaves of Hedera helix.
ñ-Hederin and also its derivative, kalopanaxsaponin-I, have been studied for their anticancer activities. ñ-Hederin has been shown to enhance the cytotoxicity of an established chemotherapeutic agent, 5-fluorouracil, in an animal model of colon carcinoma.