A new cytotoxic steroidal saponin from the rhizomes and roots of Smilax scobinicaulis

Nat Prod Res. 2013;27(14):1255-60. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2012.725396. Epub 2012 Sep 17.

Abstract

A phytochemical investigation of the EtOH extract from the rhizomes and roots of Smilax scobinicaulis resulted in the isolation of a new isospirostanol-type steroidal saponin, namely (25 R)-5α-spirostan-3β,6β-diol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-[α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 6)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), along with four known steroidal saponins (2-5). The structures of these compounds were determined by 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic analysis, FABMS and HR-ESI-MS as well as chemical degradation. The isolated saponins were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against A549, LAC and Hela human cancer cell lines, which demonstrated that only compound 1 possessed significant cytotoxic activity with IC₅₀ values of 3.70, 5.70 and 3.64 µM, respectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cytotoxins / pharmacology
  • Ethanol
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Molecular Structure
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Plant Roots / chemistry*
  • Rhizome / chemistry*
  • Saponins / chemistry
  • Saponins / isolation & purification*
  • Saponins / pharmacology
  • Smilax / chemistry*
  • Steroids / chemistry
  • Steroids / isolation & purification*
  • Steroids / pharmacology
  • Tetrazolium Salts
  • Thiazoles

Substances

  • Cytotoxins
  • Plant Extracts
  • Saponins
  • Steroids
  • Tetrazolium Salts
  • Thiazoles
  • Ethanol
  • thiazolyl blue