alpha-Solanine, a naturally occurring steroidal glycoalkaloid in potato sprouts, was found to possess anti-carcinogenic properties, such as inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis of tumor cells. Human intake of high doses of alpha-Solanine has led to acute intoxication, in severe cases coma and death. The ratio of a-solanine to a-chaconine may determine the degree and nature of the glycoalkaloid toxicity in potatoes, as the toxicity of the two alkaloids act synergistically. alpha-Solanine can inhibit cholinesterase, disrupt cell membranes, and cause birth defects. Some studies suggests that the toxic mechanism of solanine is caused by the chemical's interaction with mitochondrial membranes. Experiments show that solanine exposure opens the potassium channels of mitochondria, decreasing their membrane potential. This, in turn, leads to K+ being transported from the mitochondria into the cytoplasm, and this increased concentration of K+ in the cytoplasm triggers cell damage and apoptosis.