Bioassay-Guided Isolation of Cytotoxic Cycloartane Triterpenoid Glycosides from the Traditionally Used Medicinal PlantLeea indica

Abstract

Leea indica is a medicinal plant used traditionally to cure cancer. In this study, the cytotoxic compounds of L. indica were isolated using bioassay-guided approach. Two cycloartane triterpenoid glycosides, mollic acid arabinoside (MAA) and mollic acid xyloside (MAX), were firstly isolated from L. indica. They inhibited the growth of Ca Ski cervical cancer cells with IC50 of 19.21 μM (MAA) and 33.33 μM (MAX). MRC5 normal cell line was used to calculate selectivity index. MAA and MAX were about 8 and 4 times more cytotoxic to Ca Ski cells compared to MRC5. The cytotoxicity of MAA was characterized by both cytostatic and cytocidal effects. MAA decreased the expression of proliferative cell nuclear antigen, increased sub-G1 cells, and arrested cells in S and G2/M phases. This study provides the evidence for the ethnomedicinal use of L. indica and paves the way for future mechanism studies on the anticancer effects of MAA.

Medicinal Plants for Treatment of Cancer: A Brief Review

“…These receptors include the Fas (also called APO-1 or CD95) and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis inducing ligands (TRAIL) receptors. [90][91] …”

Anti-cancer potential of South Asian plants

“…Two cycloartane triterpenoid glycosides, namely mollic acid arabinoside (MAA, 14) and mollic acid xyloside (MAX, 15) were isolated from L. indica with a concomitant demonstration of their anti-cancer effect. Both MAA and MAX are effective against the growth of cervical cancer cell line Ca Ski 80 . The cytotoxicity of MAA was characterized by both cytostatic and cytocidal effects.…”

In vitro antioxidant and anticancer activity of Leea indica leaf extracts on human prostate cancer cell lines

“…Merr (Leeaceae), is a large evergreen shrub native to tropical India, Bangladesh, China, Bhutan, and Malaysia 10 . The leaves are claimed to have medicinal values such as anticancer, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, antidysenteric, and antispasmodic based on folktale practices 11 . However, this plant has not been studied for anticancer activity on prostate cancer and there are very few available studies on antioxidant properties of this plant.…”