Cytotoxic saponin against lung cancer cells from Dioscorea birmanica Prain & Burkill.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the cytotoxic activity against lung cancer cells of Dioscorea birmanica Prain & Burkill extract and its compounds.

MATERIAL AND METHOD:

Cytotoxic activity was tested against two types of lung cancer cell line (A549 and CORL-23), one type of normal lung cell (MRC-5) by sulforhodamine B assay. Bioassay guide fractionation was used for isolating cytotoxic compounds. The structure elucidation of active ingredients was proven by spectrophotometry technique.

RESULTS:

The results found that the ethanolic extract of Dioscorea birmanica Prain & Burkill (DBE) showed high cytotoxic activity against lung cancer cells; A 549 and COR-L23 (IC50 = 7.45 +/- 0.31, 8.71 +/- 0.29 microg/ml, respectively) but no cytotoxic activity against normal cancer cells MRC-5 (IC50 = 94.76 +/- 1.25 micro/ml). Six fractions from DBE were isolated by vaccuum liquid chromatography with ordering polarity of solvent and were coded as DB1-DB6, respectively. The fraction DB5 showed high cytotoxic against A 549 and COR-L23 (IC50 = 6.14 +/- 0.08 and 16.44 +/- 1.23 microg/ml, respectively) but less toxic to normal cell. Diosgenin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside or Prosapogenin A of dioscin (DBS1) was isolated from DB5 fraction and had highest cytotoxic activity against those two types of lung cancer cells (IC50 = 1.81 +/- 0.03, 1.84 +/- 0.05 microg/ml), respectively) but less cytotoxic against normal lung cells MRC-5 (IC50 = 37.09 +/- 0.67 microg/ml).

CONCLUSION:

The steroid saponin from Dioscorea birmanica showed cytotoxic activity against human lung cancer cells but less toxic against normal lung cells.

• Authors: Nuanjan Jaiaree, Arunporn Itharat, Kamman Kumapava
• Journal: Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet (J Med Assoc Thai) Vol. 93 Suppl 7 Pg. S192-7 (Dec 2010) ISSN: 0125-2208 [Print] Thailand
• PMID: 21294414 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
• Plant Extracts
• Saponins
• Steroids
• Ethanol

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic (chemistry, isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Cell Line, Tumor (drug effects)
• Dioscorea (chemistry)
• Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
• Ethanol
• Humans
• Lung Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Plant Extracts (chemistry, isolation & purification)
• Rhizome (chemistry)
• Saponins (chemistry, isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Steroids (chemistry, isolation & purification, pharmacology)