Comparative Analysis of Saponins from Different Phytolaccaceae Species and Their Antiproliferative Activities

Abstract

The quality and the efficacy of herbal medicine are of great concern especially with the increase in their global use. Medicinal plants of different species or collected from different geographical regions have shown variations in both their contents and pharmacological activities due to the differences in the environmental conditions of the collected sites. In this study, roots of Phytolacca acinosa found in different provinces in south China (Sichuan and Shandong) and a species of Phytolacca americana were investigated. To ensure a maximum yield of the major compounds, the extraction method and conditions were optimized. The preeminent method of extraction in this analysis was determined to be the ultrasound-assisted method with specific conditions as follows: ethanol-H2O (1:1, v/v), with a solvent: sample ratio of 1:8, and extraction was performed 3 times, each for 30 min. Under these conditions, samples from the different regions varied both in quantity and quality via the LC-MS analysis. A total of 60 triterpenoid saponins were detected within the three samples, among which 22 were identified as common in the three samples. The amounts of these common triterpenoid saponin identified varied across the samples. Moreover, the analysis led to the detection of some novel compounds that have not yet been reported in this family, while other compounds differ in their fragmentation pathways compared to previous literature. To further divulge the correlations between the bioactivities in these three samples and the quantity and quality of their bioactive components, a cytotoxic analysis was thus carried out with two cancer cell lines, and SGC-7901 and Hep G2, which evidently showed remarkable differences in their anti-proliferative activities with respect to the IC50 value. Samples of P. acinosa from Sichuan showed higher values in both cell lines (27.20 ± 1.60 and 25.59 ± 1.63 µg/mL) compared to those of Shandong and P. americana. For the first time, analysis and comparison of both interspecies and of different species in this family were carried out. This study will significantly contribute to the quality insurance of herbal medicine, especially in the Phytolaccaceae family.

Extraction approaches used for the determination of biologically active compounds (cyclitols, polyphenols and saponins) isolated from plant material

“…UAE using ethanol‐water (1:1, v/v), with a solvent‐sample ratio of 1:8, was used to extract triterpenoids from roots of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb. cultivated in different provinces in South China and a species of Phytolacca americana L. . Via the LC‐MS analysis, these results highlighted that samples from the different regions varied both in quantity and quality.…”

Invasive Plants: Turning Enemies into Value

“…Reports on the biological activity of extracts of this species include (Table 3): moluscidal activity of the water extract of the berries against invasive snails (Viviparus georgianis and Pimephales promelas) suggesting that P. americana could be used as a mollusk control agent in aquaculture applications [47]; antifungal activity of the MeOH/water extracts of the aerial parts of a Korean species towards phytopathogenic fungi, confirming that extracts originated from invasive plants can be used directly to develop new and effective classes of natural fungicides to control severe fungal diseases [48]; allelopathic activity of the aqueous leaf extract of a South Korean species on Cassia mimosoides [49]; antibacterial effect of MeOH/water extract of aerial parts of a Korean species on pathogens responsible for periodontal inflammatory diseases and dental caries, suggesting that these extracts have the potential for use in the preparation of toothpaste and other drugs related to various oral diseases [50]; antiproliferative activity of the EtOH/water extract (saponin rich) of the roots of a Chinese specimen [51] and inhibition of infection by Cucumber Mosaic virus and Influenza virus by a phosphate buffer extract of the leaves of a California specimen [52]. Reports on the biological activity of extracts of this species include (Table 3): moluscidal activity of the water extract of the berries against invasive snails (Viviparus georgianis and Pimephales promelas) suggesting that P. americana could be used as a mollusk control agent in aquaculture applications [47]; antifungal activity of the MeOH/water extracts of the aerial parts of a Korean species towards phytopathogenic fungi, confirming that extracts originated from invasive plants can be used directly to develop new and effective classes of natural fungicides to control severe fungal diseases [48]; allelopathic activity of the aqueous leaf extract of a South Korean species on Cassia mimosoides [49]; antibacterial effect of MeOH/water extract of aerial parts of a Korean species on pathogens responsible for periodontal inflammatory diseases and dental caries, suggesting that these extracts have the potential for use in the preparation of toothpaste and other drugs related to various oral diseases [50]; antiproliferative activity of the EtOH/water extract (saponin rich) of the roots of a Chinese specimen [51] and inhibition of infection by Cucumber Mosaic virus and Influenza virus by a phosphate buffer extract of the leaves of a California specimen [52]. Finally, a patent registers a method for treating all types of polycystic kidney disease using the herb Phytolacca americana, among others [53].…”

Himalayan Nettle Girardinia diversifolia as a Candidate Ingredient for Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Applications—Phytochemical Analysis and In Vitro Bioassays

“…LC-MS n data made it possible to reveal several peaks that present m/z values, and a fragmentation pattern that can be ascribed to saponins: in particular, a peak at retention time of 13 min with m/z 841 and fragmentations suggesting that the structure can be assigned to 3-[Xyl]-28-Glc-11-hydroxyphytolaccagenin [17]. An isomer of this compound presenting a different pattern of fragmentation is observed at retention time of 11.8 min and was tentatively assigned to an iridoid derivative [18].…”