Isolation and Identification of an Anti-tumor Component from Leaves of Impatiens balsamina

Abstract

We have previously shown that ethanol or chloroform extracts of the leaves of Impatiens balsamina (LIB) have anti-tumor activity against the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. The ethanol extracts were separated into five fractions according to polarity. An MTT assay indicated that two of the fractions had anti-tumor activity and that the petroleum ether fraction (PEF) was the most active. But the available quantities of both the PEF and chloroform fractions (CHF) were limited, precluding further study. The chloroform extract (CHE) shared almost all the same spots with the PEF and CHF and was plentiful enough to carry out further separations. Thus, the CHE was further separated into six sub-fractions (CHE1~6) by column chromatography. A MTT assay showed that only the CHE2 fraction had a strong tumor inhibition ratio (IC50 = 6.47±0.05 mg/L), which was superior to that of curcumin (IC50 = 13.95±0.11 mg/L). However, TLC revealed that CHE2 was not pure and still contained two more components. After further separation and purification, followed by TLC and MTT assay confirmation, the final active component was isolated and identified as 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone by m.p., UV, MS and 13C- and 1H-NMR data. This is the first report demonstrating that 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone has intensive in vitro anti-tumor activity against HepG2 cells.

Impatiens balsamina

“…A pilot study demonstrated that ethanol or chloroform leaf extracts had in-vitro antitumour activity against the HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (Ding et al 2008 ). The MTT assay showed that only the chloroform CHE2 fraction had a strong tumour inhibition ratio (IC 50 = 6.47 mg/l), which was superior to that of curcumin (IC 50 = 13.95 mg/l).…”

“…2-Methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (Ding et al 2008 ), lawsone, lawsone methyl ether and methylene-3,3′-bilawsone Panichayupakaranant 2010b , 2012 ) were isolated from the leaves.…”

Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Impatiens sulcata Wallich in Roxb. Extracts

“…The secondary metabolites isolated from Impatiens species include phenolics, flavonols, anthocyanin pigments, quinones and saponins [2][3]. Impatiens species are reported to be useful as antifungal [4], antibacterial [5], anti-anaphylactic [6], anti-inflammatory [7], anti-pruritic/anti-dermatitis [8], anti-tumour [9], antibacterial [10], anti-helminthic [11] and anti-histaminic [12]. The present paper for first time reports the antioxidant potential and antimicrobial activity of Impatiens sulcata from the high altitude regions of North West (Garhwal) Himalayas, Uttarakhand, India.…”

Phytochemical and Pharmacological Significance of Genus: Impatiens

“…Impatiens siculifer were used traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of rheumatoid pain and paralysis, burns, scalds, and fractures (State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1999). Impatiens parviflora has been widely used in traditional medicine in Asia to treat rheumatism, fractures, infection and in some area of China people ingest this plant as a vegetable or use as anti-cancer herb (Ding ZS et al, 2008). In America Impatiens capensis has been used to treat hives, and rashes caused by other plants (Henn RL, 2008).…”

“…2-Methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone has intensive in vitro anti-tumor activity against HepG2 cells (Ding ZS et al, 2008).…”