In VitroAntileukemic Activity ofXanthosoma sagittifolium(Taioba) Leaf Extract

Abstract

Xanthosoma sagittifolium Schott is a herb of the Araceae family, popularly known as taioba, which is consumed as food in some regions of Brazil, Africa, and Asia. This species has already been evaluated for the antifungal activities. However, based on its potential antitumor activity, the present study further aimed to examine the antitumor, as well as chelation, activity of X. sagittifolium leaf extract. Results showed that hydroethanolic extract of X. sagittifolium leaves (HEXs-L) exhibits cytotoxic effects against the immortalized line of human T-lymphocytic (Jurkat) and myelogenous (K562) leukemia cells, but not nontumor RAW 264.7 macrophages or NIH/3T3 fibroblasts. HEXs-L inhibited 50.3% of Jurkat cell proliferation, reducing by 20% cells in G2/M phase, but increasing cells in sub-G1 phase, thereby inducing apoptosis by 54%. In addition, HEXs-L inhibited NO production by 59%, as determined by Griess reaction, and chelated 93.8% of free Fe(II), as demonstrated by ferrozine assay. Phytochemical studies were carried out by ESI-MS, identifying apigenin di-C-glycosides as major compounds. Overall, this work revealed that leaf extract of Xanthosoma sagittifolium presented chelating activity and in vitro antitumor activity, arresting cell cycle and inducing apoptosis of leukemia cells, thus providing evidence that taioba leaves may have practical application in cancer therapy.

Bromatology, food chemistry and antioxidant activity of Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott

“…Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott (Araceae) is a UFP known in Brazil as Taioba (Kinupp and Lorenzi, 2014;Caxito et al, 2015) which, along with Xanthosoma mafaffa, constitute the species of the genus with greater economic importance (Heredia Zárate et al, 2005). Taioba is grown and consumed in some regions of Africa, Asia and (Kobori and Rodriguez-amaya, 2008;Jackix et al, 2013;Caxito et al, 2015); in South America its leaves are eaten steamed (Jackix et al, 2013) and braised (MAPA, 2010), and in Brazil there are reports of its consumption in the States of Bahia, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo (Seganfredo et al, 2001). In Amazon region Taioba corms are used in traditional diet, but the leaves are often discarded (Pérez et al, 2007;Jackix et al, 2013).…”

“…Taioba leaves are excellent sources of calcium, phosphorus, iron (Caxito et al, 2015) and vitamin C (Pinto et al, 2001b), but the fibers are their main constituents (Jackix et al, 2013). Reducing intake of Calcium and Magnesium in the diet exposes individuals to the risk of chronic diseases (Jahnen-Dechent and Ketteler, 2012).…”

Inquiry of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Xanthosoma sagittifolium L.: An effective medicinal plant

“…Xanthosoma sagittifolium L (X. sagittifolium), belongs to the family of Araceae, popularly regarded as a medicinal plant in the Southeast Asia region. In Bangladesh, it is widely distributed and known as Mukhi Kochu [7]. This plant is natural to the tropical America and cultured in South America and tropical Central since ancient time.…”

“…Only in comparatively recent times (19th century), it has been spread widely all over the tropical world. Now this plant is cultivated in the Caribbean, tropical America, West Africa and the Pacific and to a very limited extent in some other parts of the humid tropics [7,8]. Experimentally, X. sagittifolium is shown to possess antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic and hypolipidaemic activity [7][8][9].…”

“…Now this plant is cultivated in the Caribbean, tropical America, West Africa and the Pacific and to a very limited extent in some other parts of the humid tropics [7,8]. Experimentally, X. sagittifolium is shown to possess antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic and hypolipidaemic activity [7][8][9]. In addition to this, X. sagittifolium species are used to prevent osteoporosis in Brazilian traditional medicine [10].…”