A steroidal derivative from Trigonella foenum graecum L. that induces apoptosis in vitro and in vivo

Abstract

Trigonella foenum graecum L. is a dietary herb used in traditional medicine system. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxicity, antitumor, antimetastatic and antiangiogenic effect of the steroidal compound, ethyl iso-allocholate isolated from T. foenum graecum L. seeds against A549 lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo . Among all the isolated compounds, the ethyl iso-allocholate rendered the highest cytotoxicity potential. It showed least percentage cell viability in trypan blue assay and lowest nuclei count in hoechst staining. The caspase glo assay and western blot analysis showed the significant caspase 3 cleavage, indicating caspase dependent apoptosis. Consistent with the in vitro data, ethyl iso-allocholate showed highest percentage tumor growth inhibition i.e. 80 ± 5% in zebrafish, equivalent to doxorubicin. It significantly reduced angiogenesis to 5 ± 0.8% (**P < 0.01), compared to negative control group which was 60 ± 2%. The ethyl iso-allocholate showed 55 ± 3% inhibition in liver metastasis. To investigate the safety of the compounds on normal tissues, the percentage mortality was examined. The ethyl iso-allocholate showed zero percent mortality of zebrafish. These results indicate that the steroidal derivative isolated from T. foenum-graecum seeds induces caspase dependent apoptosis in cancer cells and reduces tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenesis in vivo , as well as it is safe on the normal tissues. The in vitro and in vivo anticancer studies suggest that the cytotoxic compound ethyl iso-allocholate has potential application in pharmaceutical industry.

Potential Anti-Acetylcholinesterase Activity of Cassia timorensis DC.

“…Compounds 2 and 3 appeared as yellowish oil and were isolated from the hexane fraction of C. timorensis leaf extract. Compound 2, characterized as benzenepropanoic acid, was recently isolated from Trigonella foenum (Fabaceae) and demonstrated to have anti-cancer potential through in vitro and in vivo studies [ 26 ]. To the best of our knowledge, there was no report on the isolation of this compound from the genus Cassia , although it has been reported to be present in C. fistula seeds as identified from GC-MS [ 27 ].…”

Biochemical evaluation and molecular docking assessment of the anti-inflammatory potential of Phyllanthus nivosus leaf against ulcerative colitis

“…Ethyl iso-allocholate interacted strongly with all the protein targets especially caspase-1. This compound is a steroidal derivative with several therapeutic activities including anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour activities [41,42]. Its anti-inflammatory activity could be linked with its interaction and possible modulation of these protein targets.…”

Spectral analysis, in vitro cytotoxicity and antibacterial studies of bioactive principles from the leaves of Conocarpus lancifolius, a common tree of Jazan, Saudi Arabia

“…Ethyl isoallocholate, otherwise called ethyl cholate, was observed in the HMEL of C. lancifolius, reported for the antibacterial property (Malathi et al, 2016). However, a recent study has demonstrated reduced tumor growth (Thakur and Ahirwar, 2019). Caryophyllene oxide is a bicyclic sesquiterpene observed in the HMEL of C. lancifolius and has been shown as an anticancer molecule (Pan et al, 2016).…”