In-vitro cytotoxic potential of aerial parts of Leutea avicennae Mozaff. in different Human cancer cell lines.

Medicinal plants such as Leutea avicennae Mozaff. (Apiaceae) have been shown some biological potential for preventing and treating diseases. Fractions and isolated compounds were tested on colon carcinoma (HT-29), cervical carcinoma (HeLa), breast carcinoma (MCF-7), and mouse embryonic fibroblast (NIH/3T3) cell lines. The BSLT method was used for the assessment of the general toxicity of the petroleum ether (PET), chloroform (CHCl3), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and methanol (MeOH) fractions obtained from the aerial parts of L. avicennae. 1H-NMR and 13 C-NMR spectroscopy were used for structure elucidation. Five compounds, including two coumarins, osthole and umbelliferone, a diterpene phytol, ß-sitosterol, and lauric acid, were isolated for the first time from L. avicennae. Osthole showed potent cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 and HT-29 cell lines with IC50 values of 4.23 ± 0.26 and 12.11 ± 0.13 µg/mL, respectively. Phytol demonstrated potent cytotoxic activity towards MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines with IC50 values of 6.80 ± 0.08 and 12.27 ± 0.18 µg/mL, respectively.

Cytotoxic abietane diterpenoids from Salvia leriifolia Benth.

The Phytochemical profiling of the root extract of Salvia leriifolia, an endemic plant of Iran, was investigated and 16 abietane diterpenes were isolated, and three were original compounds. 1D and 2D NMR and HRMS performed structural elucidation. The absolute configuration of the previously unreported compounds was determined by circular dichroism (ECD). The cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds was investigated against AGS, MIA PaCa-2, HeLa, and MCF-7 cell lines by the MTT assay. The known diterpene pisiferal possesses high cytotoxicity against all investigated cell lines at a concentration between 9.3 ± 0.6 and 14.38 ± 1.4 µM.

Trigonella teheranica: a valuable source of phytochemicals with antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic properties.

Trigonella genus is a member of Fabaceae family, which is used as medicinal plant. The aim of this study was investigation of phytochemicals and some biological activities of Trigonella teheranica for the first time. The essential oils (EOs) of different parts (leaves, fruits and roots) were obtained and analyzed by GC-MS. Also, their chloroform and methanol extracts were prepared, too. The antimicrobial effects, antioxidant activities and cytotoxic effects against cancer (MDA-MB-231, MRC5 and HT-29) cell lines were investigated. N-hexadecanoic acid was the major compound of leaves and fruits EOs, and hexanal was abundant component of roots EO. The extracts showed stronger antibacterial effects than volatile oils against Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. All methanol extracts showed strong antioxidant effects, while the volatile oils, especially of leaves was the most effective in cytotoxic assay. Also, three derivatives of coumaric acid were isolated and identified from T. teheranica.

Possible potential of Astrodaucus genus in development of anticancer drugs.

OBJECTIVE: Many pharmaceutical factories have dramatically improved the quality of herbal remedies in cancer treatment. The results of somestudies have shown anticancer effect of Astrodaucus genus. Therefore, the aim of this article was to review the chemical ingredients and biological effects of Astrodaucus genus especially A. persicus from the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Online databases ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched using the keywords Astrodaucus, Apiaceae, Biologic, Phytochemistry, and Benzodioxole to retrieve studies published between 1970 and 2020. RESULTS: The Astrodaucus genus has two species, Astrodaucus persicus (Boiss.) Drude and Astrodaucus orientalis (L.) Drude. In this genus, 5 new biologically active phytochemicals with benzodioxole structure were introduced and their biological effects were assessed. CONCLUSION: Since many of the most commonly used anticancer drugs such as etoposide, teniposide, podophyllotoxin and sanguinarine have benzodioxole structureand according to the results of biological tests, it seems that more researchwith these perspectives should be done on this genus.

Diterpenoids from Zhumeria majdae roots as potential heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) modulators.

Four undescribed and 17 known diterpenoids were isolated from the roots of Zhumeria majdae Rech.f. & Wendelbo. Using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, ECD spectroscopy, and HRESIMS data analysis, the structures of the undescribed compounds were elucidated. The anti-proliferative activity of isolated compounds was evaluated against HeLa and MCF7 cancer cell lines. The binding affinity of all compounds to HSP90, one of the targets for the modern anticancer therapy, was investigated using surface plasmon resonance. The results demonstrated that lanugon Q interacted with the chaperone. To explain its mechanism of action, experimental and computational tests were also conducted.

Effects of Monoterpenes of Trachyspermum ammi on the Viability of Spermatogonia Stem Cells In Vitro.

Trachyspermum ammi (Apiaceae) plants have several medicinal and condimentary applications and are considered an aphrodisiac agent in Iranian Traditional Medicine. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of oil from Iranian T. ammi plants on the viability of spermatogonial stem cells in vitro. The essential oil of T. ammi fruits was extracted by hydrodistillation, and the amount of thymol was calculated by a gas-chromatography method. Spermatogonial stem cells were isolated from the testes of mice using enzyme digestion. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied to assess the gene expressions of promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (Plzf), DNA-binding protein inhibitor (ID-4), tyrosine-protein kinase (c-Kit), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) and Bcl2-associated X protein (BAX). The number and diameter of colonies were also measured in the treated cells. The amount of thymol in the oil was 130.7 ± 7.6 µg/mL. Flow cytometry analysis showed that 92.8% of all cells expressed stimulated by retinoic acid 8 (Stra8), a spermatogonial stem cell marker. Expression of Plzf and ID-4 genes significantly increased in the treatment groups, while c-Kit and BAX decreased, and Bcl2 increased in the presence of essential oil. The numbers and diameters of cells were also improved by the application of the plant oil. These data indicated that monoterpenes from the oil of T. ammi improved the quality and viability of spermatogonia cells in the cell culture.

Larvicidal Activity of Bunium persicum Essential Oil and Extract against Malaria Vector, Anopheles stephensi.

BACKGROUND: Malaria, a mosquito-transmitted disease, is still a major human health problem all over the world. Larviciding is a component of comprehensive control program to overcome the disease. Negative aspects of synthetic insecticides application, such as environmental safety concerns, have favored use of natural insecticides. METHODS: Larvicidal activity of essential oil, extracts and fractions of a wild grown and a cultivated type of Bunium persicum fruits against malaria vector Anopheles stephensi was assessed according to the method described by WHO. RESULTS: Bunium persicum showed remarkable potency against An. stephensi larvae. LC 50 values for essential oil, total extract, petroleum ether fraction and methanol fraction were 27.4284, 64.9933, 85.9933 and 255.7486ppm for wild type, and 21.3823, 63.2580, 62.7814 and 152.6357ppm for cultivated one. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest B. persicum as a valuable source of natural insecticides against malaria vector Anopheles stephensi.

Bioactive coumarins from the roots and fruits of Ferulago trifida Boiss., an endemic species to Iran.

Phytochemical analysis of the Ferulago trifida Boiss. from Apiaceae family led to the isolation and identification of suberosin (1), isoimperatorin (2), prantschimgin (3), oxypeucedanin (4), oxypeucedanin methanolate (5), suberenol (6), 6-hydroxymethylherniarin (7), oxypeucedanin hydrate (8), ulopterol (9), bergapten (10), xanthotoxin (11), imperatorin (12) and grandivittin (13) from chloroform extracts of the roots (1-9) and fruits (1, 2, 8, 10-13) of this species. Oxypeucedanin methanolate and suberenol demonstrated a potent antioxidant power with 268.2 ± 5.4 and 251.2 ± 6.2 mmol FSE/100 g, respectively, compared by BHT (267.2 ± 4.2 mmol FSE/100 g) in FRAP method. The potent antibacterial effects were found for oxypeucedanin methanolate on S. epidermidis (IZ; 26 mm, MIC; 250 µg mL-1) an oxypeucedanin hydrate on K. pneumoniae (IZ: 21 mm, MIC: 250 µg mL-1). Moreover, suberosin showed higher preferential toxicity against MDA-MB-23 cells (IC50: 0.21 mM, SI: 5.0), in comparison with tamoxifen (IC50: 0.012 mM, SI: 2.45) in MTT assay.

Chemodiversity of Nepeta menthoides Boiss. & Bohse. essential oil from Iran and antimicrobial, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and cytotoxic properties of 1,8-cineole chemotype.

The essential oil of Nepeta menthoides Boiss. & Bohse., from Iran, was analysed by GC/MS. Two types of multivariate analyses were done based on the chemical composition of the investigated sample in this study and 12 other samples reported in the literature to show the chemodiversity in essential oil composition. Antimicrobial, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and cytotoxic activities of the essential oil and its major component were assessed. Twenty-one compounds were identified, representing 96.81% of the total oil and the major constituent was 1,8-cineole (70.06%). Multivariate analyses revealed two chemotypes, i.e. nepetalactone and 1,8-cineole. The essential oil of the sample investigated in this study which was a 1,8-cineole chemotype and 1,8-cineole showed moderate antimicrobial activity and significantly inhibited the activity of acetylcholinesterase enzyme. Cytotoxicity evaluation against three breast cancer cell lines showed a potent inhibitory activity. Further investigations are necessary to confirm the variety in several populations of N. menthoides.

Antimalarial and cytotoxic activities of roots and fruits fractions of Astrodaucus persicus extract.

OBJECTIVES: Astrodaucus persicus (Apiaceae) is one of the two species of this genus which grows in different parts of Iran. Roots of this plant were rich in benzodioxoles and used as food additive or salad in Iran and near countries. The aim of present study was evaluation of antimalarial and cytotoxic effects of different fractions of A. persicus fruits and roots extracts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ripe fruits and roots of A. persicus were extracted and fractionated by hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol, separately. Antimalarial activities of fractions were performed based on Plasmodium berghei suppressive test in mice model and percentage of parasitemia and suppression were determined for each sample. Cytotoxicity of fruits and roots fractions were investigated against human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), colorectal carcinoma (SW480) and normal (L929) cell lines by MTT assay and IC50 of them were measured. RESULTS: Hexane fraction of roots extract (RHE) and ethyl acetate fraction of fruits extract (FEA) of A. persicus demonstrated highest parasite inhibition (73.3 and 72.3%, respectively at 500 mg/kg/day) which were significantly different from negative control group (P<0.05). In addition, RHE showed potent anticancer activities against MCF-7 (IC50 of 0.01 µg/ml), SW480 (IC50 of 0.36 µg/ml) and L929 (IC50 of 0.70 µg/ml) cell lines. CONCLUSION: According to the results, RHE and FEA fractions of A. persicus could be introduced as excellent choice for antimalarial drug discovery. In addition, cytotoxic activity of RHE was noticeable.

A two-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Viola odorata, Echium amoenum and Physalis alkekengi mixture in symptomatic benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) men.

CONTEXT: As an alternative approach, administration of phytotherapeutic agents in management of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), is rapidly growing each day. Different authors have indicated effectiveness of Viola odorata L. (Violaceae), Echium amoenum Fisch. & C.A.Mey. (Boraginaceae) and Physalis alkekengi L. (Solanaceae) in treatment of BPH. However, none have reported the beneficial outcomes of the mixture yet. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the therapeutical effects of V. odorata, E. amoenum and P. alkekengi mixture on symptomatic BPH patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty six symptomatic BPH patients with International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of more than 13 and prostate volume of more than 30 cm3 were randomly allocated to receive a two-week course of placebo (control group) or 1 mL of mixed hydro-alcoholic solution of P. alkekengi, E. amoenum and V. odorata extracts (1.5, 1 and 1.5% respectively) (treatment group). RESULTS: IPSS score of incomplete urination (42.3 ± 2.04%), frequency of urination (20.08 ± 1.02%), intermittency (40.78 ± 2.16%), urgency (60.91 ± 3.14%), weak stream (50.58 ± 2.14%), straining (55.67 ± 2.53%) and nocturia (40.14 ± 1.89%) in treatment group were significantly decreased after treatment compare to placebo receiving group. Furthermore, the prostate volume (16.92 ± 0.89%) and extant urine volume (28.12 ± 1.36%) also significantly decreased in treatment group compared to control group. No significant side effects or abnormalities in biochemical tests and urinalysis were observed throughout the study. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Based on results, mentioned mixture is safe and effective in improving life quality of patients suffering from BPH.

Isolation of Phenolic Derivatives and Essential Oil Analysis of Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindl. Aerial Parts.

Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindl. (Apiaceae) is a medicinal plant distributed in Mediterranean regions, Caucasia and southwest of Asia. In the present study phytochemical constituents of the extract obtained from the aerial parts of P. ferulacea were investigated using various chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. Essential oil of the plant aerial parts was also analyzed using GC-MS. Five phenolic derivatives, isoimperatorin (1), ferudenol (2), caffeic acid glucosyl ester (3), isorhamnetin-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (4) and quercetin-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (5) were isolated from the aerial parts of P. ferulacea and their structures were elucidated using 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, EI-MS and UV spectral analyses. Twenty-seven compounds were also identified in the essential oil of plant aerial parts, of which ß-pinene (43.1%), α-pinene (22.1%) and -δ3-carene (16.9%) were characterized as main compounds. The results of this study introduce P. ferulacea as a source of potentially bioactive phenolic compounds and suggest it as an appropriate candidate for further studies.

Gas Chromatography, GC/Mass Analysis and Bioactivity of Essential Oil from Aerial Parts of Ferulago trifida: Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, AChE Inhibitory, General Toxicity, MTT Assay and Larvicidal Activities.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate different biological properties of aerial parts essential oil of Ferulago trifida Boiss and larvicidal activity of its volatile oils from all parts of plant. METHODS: Essential oil was prepared by steam distillation and analyzed by Gas chromatography and GC/Mass. Antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic effects and AChE inhibitory of the oil were investigated using DPPH, disk diffusion method, MTT assay and Ellman methods. Larvicidal activity of F. trifida essential oil against malaria vector Anopheles stephensi was carried out according to the method described by WHO. RESULTS: In GC and GC/MS analysis, 58 compounds were identified in the aerial parts essential oil, of which E-verbenol (9.66%), isobutyl acetate (25.73%) and E-ß-caryophyllene (8.68%) were main compounds. The oil showed (IC50= 111.2µg/ml) in DPPH and IC50= 21.5 mg/ml in the investigation of AChE inhibitory. Furthermore, the oil demonstrated toxicity with (LD50= 1.1µg/ml) in brine shrimp lethality test and with (IC50= 22.0, 25.0 and 42.55 µg/ml) on three cancerous cell lines (MCF-7, A-549 and HT-29) respectively. LC50 of stem, root, aerial parts, fruits, and flowers essential oils against larvae of An. stephensi were equal with 10.46, 22.27, 20.50, 31.93 and 79.87ppm respectively. In antimicrobial activities, essential oil was effective on all specimens except Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. CONCLUSION: The essential oil showed moderate antioxidant activity, strong antimicrobial properties and good toxic effect in brine shrimp test and MTT assay on three cancerous cell lines.

Cytotoxic Potential of Centaurea bruguierana ssp. belangerana: The MTT Assay.

The genus Centaurea with an extensive background in Iranian traditional medicine represents more than 70 species in Iran that some of them are endemic to Iran. A variety of secondary metabolites has been isolated from this genus thus far. Sesquiterpene lactones and flavonoids have been reported as main compounds of C.bruguierana. Methanolic extract and different fractions of the whole fruiting samples of Centaurea bruguierana ssp.belangerana (Asteraceae) were examined for cytotoxicity against various cell lines using MTT cytotoxicity assay in order to identify active fraction(s). The chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of plant have demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against colon adenocarcinoma and breast ductal carcinoma cell lines, which chloroform fraction, exhibited the most potent in vitro cytotoxic activity against colon adenocarcinoma cell line, and therefore, can be considered as the potential fraction through main compounds of plant against the adenocarcinoma colon cancer cell line. Moreover, only chloroform fraction was moderately active against Swiss embryo fibroblast cell lines while the other fractions were nontoxic. To summarize, the chloroform fraction of C.bruguierana demonstrated better cytotoxic activity against all of the tested cell lines compared with the other fractions; and promisingly in some cases represented moderate to very good cytotoxicity that suggests more investigations about its phytochemical properties.

Essential oils chemical composition, antioxidant activities and total phenols of Astrodaucus persicus.

OBJECTIVES: Astrodaucus persicus, Apiaceae, is used as vegetable or food additive in some parts of Iran. The essential oils of different parts of Astrodaucus persicus from Kordestan province were analyzed for the first time and compared with other regions. In this study, antioxidant activities and total phenols determination of aerial parts essential oils and root fractions of A. persicus were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation from flowers/fruits, leaves/stems, ripe fruits and roots of plant and analyzed by GC-MS. Crude root extract was fractionated with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. Antioxidant activities by DPPH and FRAP methods and total phenols by Folin-ciocalteu assay were measured. RESULTS: The abundant compounds of flowers/fruits blue essential oil were α-thujene, ß-pinene and α-pinene. The predominant components of blue leaves/stems essential oil were α-thujene, α-pinene and α-fenchene. The major volatiles of ripe fruits blue essential oil were ß-pinene, α-thujene and α-pinene. The chief compounds of root yellow essential oil were trans-caryophyllene, bicycogermacrene and germacrene-D. Total root extract and ethyl acetate fraction showed potent antioxidant activities and high amount of total phenols in comparison to other samples. Among volatile oils, the flowers/fruits essential oil showed potent reducing capacity. CONCLUSION: The major compounds of aerial parts essential oils were hydrocarbon monoterpenes while the chief percentage of roots essential oil constituents were hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes. α-Eudesmol and ß-eudesmol were identified as responsible for creation of blue color in aerial parts essential oils. A. persicus was known as a potent antioxidant among Apiaceae.

Chemical composition and biological activity of Pulicaria vulgaris essential oil from Iran.

The present study investigated the chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) from aerial parts (flowering stage) of Pulicaria vulgaris Gaertn. by GC-MS. Also, the antimicrobial activity of the EO against Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and fungi (Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans) was tested. In total, 23 compounds were recognized, accounting for 98.08% of the EO. The main compounds in the EO were thymol (50.22%), p-menth-6-en-2-one (carvotanacetone, 20.2%), thymol isobutyrate (16.88%), menthan-2-one (4.31%), 1-methyl-1,2-propanedione (4.13%), 2,5-dimethoxy-p-cymene (4.01%), myrtenol (1.22%), linalool (1.1%), and ß-myrcene (1.9%). Results of antibacterial test of P. vulgaris essential oil showed that all assayed concentrations significantly inhibited the growth of B. cereus, S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa at P < 0.05. MIC for B. cereus, S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa was 17.5, 25.2, 19.4 and 33.2 µg/mL respectively; antifungal screening of the essential oil of P. vulgaris showed that the oil significantly inhibited the growth of A. niger and C. albicans (MIC = 15.5 and 9.9 µg/mL, respectively). Results of cytotoxicity assay showed that the essential oil exhibited a significant cytotoxic activity against both cell lines. In case of MCF-7 and Hep-G2 cell lines, IC50 of the essential oil were 5.36 and 7.16 µg/ml, respectively. The potent antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of the EO may be attributed to its high contents of thymol, carvotanacetone and thymol isobutyrate. Antimicrobial and antitumor chemotherapies are showing diminishing effectiveness because of emergence of drug-resistance. Hence, using efficient natural chemotherapeutic agents such as Pulicaria vulgaris essential oil with fewer side effects is an encouraging approach to fight cancer and infectious diseases in medicine, agriculture, food science and related fields.

Cytotoxic evaluation of Melia azedarach in comparison with, Azadirachta indica and its phytochemical investigation.

BACKGROUND: Melia azedarach L. is an important medicinal plant that is used for variety of ailments in Iranian traditional medicine. Azadirachta indica A. Juss is its allied species and possesses similar properties and effects. The present study was undertaken to investigate anticancer activity of these M. azedarach in comparison with A. indica on cancer cell lines and also to evaluate their safety in humans by testing them on normal cell line. The study also aimed to determine the active components that are responsible for medicinal effects of M. azedarach in traditional usages. METHODS: In this study, the cytotoxic activity of crude extracts from M. azedarach and A. indica leaves, pulps and seeds as well as three main fractions of their leaf extracts were assayed against HT-29, A-549, MCF-7 and HepG-2 and MDBK cell lines. MTT assay was used to evaluate their cytotoxic activities. Methanol leaf fraction of M. azedarach as the safest leaf fraction in terms of cytotoxicity was subjected for phytochemical study. RESULTS: Results of the present study indicated that seed kernel extract of M. azedarach had the highest cytotoxic activity and selectivity to cancer cell lines (IC50 range of 8.18- 60.10 λg mL-1). In contrast to crude seed extract of A. indica, crude pulp and crude leaf extracts of this plant showed remarkably stronger anti-prolifrative activity (IC50 ranges of 83.45 - 212.16 λg mL-1 and 34.11- 95.51 λg mL-1 respectively) than those of M. azedarach (all IC50 values of both plants > 650 λg mL-1). The phytochemical analysis led to the isolation of four flavonol 3-O-glycosides including rutin, kaempferol-3-O-robinobioside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside and isoquercetin along with a purin nucleoside, β-adenosine. CONCLUSIONS: The anti-prolifrative potentials of extracts from different parts of M. azedarach and A. indica were determined. By comparison, methanol leaf fraction of M. azedarach seems to be safer in terms of cytotoxicity. Our study shows that flavonols are abundant in the leaves of M. azedarach and these compounds seem to be responsible for many of medicinal effects exploited in the traditional uses.

Chemical constituents and cytotoxic effect of the main compounds of Lythrum salicaria L.

Lythrum salicaria L. (Lythraceae), a herbaceous plant growing widely in Iran, has been well known for many centuries for its astringent and styptic properties. A phytochemical investigation of this plant, based on spectroscopic analysis, identified fourteen compounds: 5-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-one (1), umbelliferone-6-carboxylic acid (2), 3,3',4'-tri-O-methylellagic acid-4-O-beta-D-(2"-acetyl)-glucopyranoside (3), 3,3',4'-tri-O-methylellagic acid-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), daucosterol (5), phytol (6), dodecanoic acid (7), oleanolic acid (8), 3,3',4'-tri-O-methylellagic acid (9), corosolic acid (10), beta-sitosterol (11), peucedanin (12), buntansin (13), and erythrodiol (14). All compounds, except for 8 and 11, have been isolated from L. salicaria for the first time. Cytotoxic activities of the compounds were examined against three cancerous cell lines, colon carcinoma (HT-29), leukemia (K-562), and breast ductal carcinoma (T47D), and Swiss mouse embryo fibroblast (NIH-3T3) cells using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and methotrexate as positive control. Compounds 5, 10, 11, and 14 were the most active against the HT-29 cell line with IC50 values of 192.7, 36.8, 38.2, and 12.8 microg/mL, respectively. Compounds 14, 11, 5, and 10 were 6.4, 2.8, 2.6, and 1.4 times, respectively, more selective than methotrexate. Compound 5 was the most active against the K-562 cell line (IC50 = 50.2 microg/mL), with a selectivity exceeding that of methotrexate 13.3 times. The results of the cytotoxic assay confirmed that growth and proliferation of the cancer cell lines are predominantly influenced by triterpene derivatives and sterols of this plant.

Major constituents and cytotoxic effects of Ajuga chamaecistus ssp. tomentella.

The n-butanolic fraction of a methanolic extract (80%) from aerial parts of Ajuga chamaecistus ssp. tomentella was analysed using different chromatographic methods. Column (CC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used for isolation and purification. 13C, H NMR, H-H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and ESI-MS were employed for identification of the compounds isolated from this fraction. The structures of the compounds were determined to be cis-melilotoside (1), trans-melilotoside (2), lavandulifolioside (3), 20-hydroxyecdysone (4), leonoside B (5), martynoside (6), ajugalactone (7), makisterone A (8), and 24-dehydroprecyasterone (9). This is the first report on the presence of cis- and trans-melilotoside in Ajuga species. Cytotoxic evaluation of the n-butanolic fraction, cis- and trans-melilotoside against cancer (T47D, HT-29, and Caco-2) and normal (NIH 3T3) cell lines by the mitochondrial tetrazolium test (MTT) showed no cytotoxic effects up to 400 microg/mL. The results of this study suggest that melilotoside, phenylethyl glycosides, and phytoecdysteroids are the main constituents of the n-butanolic fraction of Ajuga chamaecistus ssp. tomentella.

Cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of 23 plant species of leguminosae family.

Numerous studies have been focused on natural anticarcinogenic agents. Many antioxidants have been identified as anticarcinogens. Antimutagens have also been proposed as cancer chemopreventive agents. The use of natural products as anticancer has a long history that began with traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of twenty-three plant species of Leguminosae family from different regions of Iran. Twenty-three plant species of Leguminosae family were collected in May-June 2009 from different regions of Iran.Methanol extracts of these species were tested through the brine shrimp lethality assay in order to detect potential sources of novel cytotoxic compounds. The total antioxidant activity was evaluated with DPPH free radical-scavenging method. The extracts of twelve species showed moderate cytotoxicity against brine shrimp (LC50 between 30 and 50 µg/mL). The extracts of Taverniera spartea and Tephrosia persica showed significant cytotoxicity (LC50 < 30 µg/mL) with LC50 values of 0.34 and 2.43 µg/mL, respectively, whereas the positive control, thymol showed a LC50 value of 1.37 µg/mL. The chloroform fractions of the latter two species were subjected to the brine shrimp lethality assay with LC50 values of 113.79 and 1.23 µg/mL, respectively. In comparing antioxidant capacities, Gleditschia caspica and Taverniera spartea showed significant antioxidant activity (IC50 < 50 µg/mL) with LC50 values of 14.54 and 20.32 µg/mL, respectively. It could be seen among 23 tested plant species that Taverniera spartea had the most cytotoxic and antioxidant activity and was the best candidate for these effects. Further investigations are necessary for chemical characterization of the active compounds and more comprehensive biological assays.