Chemical profiles and anticancer effects of saponin fractions of different polarity from the leaves of Panax notoginseng.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the chemical profiles and cytotoxic effects among the total saponin fraction (TSF), 25% ethanol fraction (25EF), 50% ethanol fraction (50EF), and 85% ethanol fraction (85EF) prepared by macroporous resin from the leaves of Panax notoginseng.


METHODS
The simultaneous determination of thirteen main saponins, as well as the chemical profiles of saponin fractions of different polarity, was made by HPLC-DAD and LC-ESI-MS(n) analysis. The cytotoxic effects were determined against KP4 cells (human pancreatic cancer), NCI-H727 cells (human lung cancer), HepG2 cells (human hepatocellular cancer), and SGC-7901 cells (human gastric adenocarcinoma).


RESULTS
Chemical analysis indicated that 85EF possessed the most abundant cytotoxic protopanaxadiol saponins, including the marker saponins F2, 20(R)-Rg3, 20(S)-Rg3, and Rh2. The MTT assay showed that 85EF also had the strongest cytotoxic effects among the four fractions. 25EF showed no anti-proliferative effects, while 50EF and TSF exhibited weak anti-proliferative activity.


CONCLUSIONS
From the aspect of comprehensive utilization of resources, 85EF, enriched with low polarity PPD group saponins, is a new alternative source of anticancer saponins, and a promising botanical preparation for further anticancer studies.
Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis and Metabolomics, Jiangsu Branch of China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Nanjing 210009, China.
Mao
M
Qian
Nanjing Normal University Center for Analysis and Testing, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210009, China.
Li
L
Yi
Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis and Metabolomics, Jiangsu Branch of China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Nanjing 210009, China.
Li
L
Song-Lin
State Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
Yang
Y
Jie
Jiangsu Center for New Drug Screening & National New Drug Screening Laboratory, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China. Electronic address: zhangpinghu@163.com.
Zhang
Z
Ping-Hu
State Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China. Electronic address: qwang49@126.com.
Wang
W
Qiang
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D053723:Panax notoginseng / Q000737:chemistry*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D012503:Saponins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012503:Saponins
Chemical profile; Cytotoxic effects; Leaf material; Panax notoginseng; R284; R285; Saponin