title: UPLC/MS/MS method for quantification and cytotoxic activity of sesquiterpene lactones isolated from Saussurea lappa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Saussurea lappa (Asteraceae) roots have been reputed for the usage in traditional medicinal systems of India, China and Japan for the treatment of various kinds of disorders such as anti-ulcer, anti-convulsant, anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, anti-arthritic and anti-viral activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Compounds were isolated using a column chromatographic technique. The root extract, fractions and isolated compounds were tested for cytotoxicity against A549 (human lung carcinoma) and C-6 (rat glioma) cells using the Sulphorhodamine B assay. Chromatographic separations of active sesquiterpene lactones were accomplished on BEH-HSS-T3 column at 25°C.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Phytochemical investigation of Saussurea lappa root extract resulted in the isolation of isoalantolactone (1), β-cyclocostunolide (2) α-cyclocostunolide (3), 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxycinnamyl-9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), sucrose (5), and alantolactone (6). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic means. Ethanolic extract, chloroform fraction, compounds 1, 2, 3 and 6 possessed significant activity against both tested cells. The quantification was performed using the transitions of m/z 233/105 for isoalantolactone and m/z 233/105 for alantolactone respectively. Costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone were also characterised by comparison of MS/MS fragmentation pattern.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study on simultaneous quantification of isoalantolactone and alantolactone by the UPLC/MS/MS method in Saussurea lappa. Our study against A549 and C-6 cells showed higher cytotoxicity. It is suggested that roots of Saussurea lappa might be a potential source of anticancer compounds.
authors: Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Himachal Pradesh, Palampur 176061, India; Natural Plant Products Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Himachal Pradesh, Palampur 176061, India.
authors: Ashish
authors: A
authors: Kumar
authors: Natural Plant Products Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Himachal Pradesh, Palampur 176061, India.
authors: Shiv
authors: S
authors: Kumar
authors: Biotechnology Division, CSIR- Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Himachal Pradesh, Palampur 176061, India.
authors: Dharmesh
authors: D
authors: Kumar
authors: Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Himachal Pradesh, Palampur 176061, India; Natural Plant Products Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Himachal Pradesh, Palampur 176061, India. Electronic address: kantvijai@yahoo.com.
authors: Vijai K
authors: VK
authors: Agnihotri
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D005910:Glioma / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D015394:Molecular Structure; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D030441:Saussurea / Q000737:chemistry; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D007783:Lactones; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012717:Sesquiterpenes
keywords: Asteraceae; Cytotoxic activity; Saussurea lappa; Sesquiterpene lactones; UPLC/MS/MS