title: Cytotoxic activity and inhibitory effect on nitric oxide production of triterpene saponins from the roots of Physospermum verticillatum (Waldst & Kit) (Apiaceae).
abstract: Three triterpene saponins isolated from the roots of Physospermum verticillatum and identified as saikosaponin a (1), buddlejasaponin IV (2), and songarosaponin D (3) were investigated in vitro for their cytotoxic activity against a panel of seven different cancer cell lines including ACHN, C32, Caco-2, COR-L23, A375, A549, and Huh-7D12 cell lines. The hydrolysis of sugar unit was performed on saikosaponin a (1) to obtain saikosapogenin a (4). All isolated saponins exhibited strong cytotoxic activity against COR-L23 cell line with IC(50) values ranged from 0.4 to 0.6 microM. A similar activity was recorded for saikogenin a (4). None of the tested compounds affected the proliferation of skin fibroblasts 142BR suggesting a selective action against cancer cells. Moreover, buddlejasaponin IV (2) and songarosaponin D (3) exerted significant inhibition of NO production in LPS induced RAW 264.7 macrophages with IC(50) of 4.2 and 10.4 microM, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Pharmacy and Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, CS, Italy. tundis@unical.it
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tundis
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonesi
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Deguin
authors.forename: Monica R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Loizzo
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Menichini
authors.forename: Filomena
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Conforti
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tillequin
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Menichini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019661:Apiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D009828:Oleanolic Acid / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D012503:Saponins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D012503:Saponins; D014315:Triterpenes; C418227:buddlejasaponin IV; C086750:songarosaponin D; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D009828:Oleanolic Acid