Antiproliferative activity of hexane extract from Tunisian Cistus libanotis, Cistus monspeliensis and Cistus villosus

Abstract

BackgroundAs a part of our investigation on Tunisian medicinal plants, we have carried out a phytochemical investigation of the hexane extracts from leaves of Cistus libanotis, C. villosus and C. monspeliensis, evualuating also their possible antiproliferative activity in vitro.ResultsThe major compounds of hexane extracts were identified and quantified by GC-MS. The composition of the three species, although belonging to the same genus, is completely different. The antiproliferative activity was evaluated against murine monocyte/macrophages (J774.A1), human melanoma cells (A-375), and human breast cancer cells (MCF-7), showing major activity against the human melanoma cell line A-375.ConclusionsThe chemical composition of the hexane extracts from the three Cistus species can be useful in the chemosystematics of this complex genus. The preliminary antiproliferative activity against human melanoma cell line A-375 deserve further investigations in order to determine the compounds, or their combinations, which are the main responsible for the antiproliferative activity and its possible mechanism(s) of action.

Genus Cistus: a model for exploring labdane-type diterpenes' biosynthesis and a natural source of high value products with biological, aromatic, and pharmacological properties

“…Analysis of essential oil composition of C. monspeliensis grown in Tunisia led to the identification of accountable amounts of oxygenated sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (Loizzo et al, 2013). Another study conducted with plants at the same site detected a large variety of sesquiterpenes but at low concentrations (Jemia et al, 2013). Several sesquiterpenes were also isolated from C. monspeliensis plants naturally growing in areas of France and Greece (Robles and Garzino, 2000; Angelopoulou et al, 2001a, 2002; Rivoal et al, 2010).…”

“…The monoterpene phenol carvacrol was a major constituent of Tunisian C. monspeliensis leaves and essential oils, while other polyphenolic compounds such as diisobutyl ester (phthalic acid) and benzyl benzoate were also strongly represented (Jemia et al, 2013; Loizzo et al, 2013). Moreover, carvacrol and α-terpineol were the only monoterpene compounds isolated from leaf essential oil of C. monspeliensis plants found in Crete (Greece) (Angelopoulou et al, 2001a, 2002), while several phenolic acid derivatives were identified in plants grown in Spain (Barrajón-Catalán et al, 2011).…”

“…Moreover, carvacrol and α-terpineol were the only monoterpene compounds isolated from leaf essential oil of C. monspeliensis plants found in Crete (Greece) (Angelopoulou et al, 2001a, 2002), while several phenolic acid derivatives were identified in plants grown in Spain (Barrajón-Catalán et al, 2011). Several monoterpenes, including hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenes were identified as the major components in leaves and essential oils of Tunisian and French C. monspeliensis plants (Rivoal et al, 2010; Jemia et al, 2013; Loizzo et al, 2013). Monoterpenes were 14.47% of the total essential oil extracted from Cretan C. parviflorus (Demetzos et al, 1990b).…”

Comparison of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of two cultivated Cistus species from Tunisia

“…The Cistaceae family (consisting of eight genera and 175 species) includes the genus Cistus, which comprises about 20 shrub species found broadly throughout the entire Mediterranean region (COMANDINI et al, 2006, TOMAS-MENOR et al, 2013 In Mediterranean folk medicine, Cistus species have been used as general remedies (BARRAJÓN-CATALÁN et al, 2010) and for their antiinflammatory (DEMETZOS et al, 2001), antiulcerogenic, wound healing, anti-microbial (DEMETZOS et al,1999, antifungal (BAYOUB et al, 2010), antiviral, anti-tumor (DIMAS et al, 2000, cytotoxic (BEN JEMIA et al, 2013) and antinociceptive (BARRAJÓN-CATALÁN et al, 2010) properties. For example, tea prepared from C. salvifolius L. herb (AL-KHALIL, 1995) has traditionally been used for the treatment of gout (AL-KHALIL, 1995) and ulcers (YESILADA et al, 1999).…”

Superfoods: Perfect Addition or Unnecessery Supplement?

“…Inne badania wskazują na antykancerogenne działanie tej rośliny. Na polskim rynku jest dostępny cięty, suszony czystek, ale także gotowe mieszanki herbat z jego zawartością [2,5,6].…”