In vitro cytotoxic and anticlastogenic activities of saxifragifolin B and cyclamin isolated from Cyclamen persicum and Cyclamen libanoticum. (September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: El Hosry, Leina; Di Giorgio, Carole; Birer, Caroline; Habib, Jean; Tueni, Marie; Bun, Sok-Siya; Herbette, Gaëtan; De Meo, Michel; Ollivier, Evelyne; Elias, Riad
• Is Part Of: Pharmaceutical biology. Volume 52:Number 9(2014:Sep.)
• Page Start: 1134
• Page End: 1140
• Publication Date: 2014-09
• Subjects: Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Materia medica, Vegetable -- Periodicals; 615.321
• DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2013.879600
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-0209

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Context</italic>: The genus <italic>Cyclamen</italic> L. (Primulaceae) is rich in saponins known to have interesting biological activities.</p> <p> <italic>Objective</italic>: To isolate saxifragifolin B and cyclamin, two triterpene saponins, from <italic>Cyclamen libanoticum</italic> Hildebr and <italic>Cyclamen persicum</italic> Mill, and to assess their cytotoxic, clastogenic/aneugenic, and anticlastogenic effects, as well as antioxidant potential.</p> <p> <italic>Materials and methods</italic>: Saxifragifolin B and cyclamin were tested for their cytotoxicity against SK-BR-3, HT-29, HepG2/3A, NCI-H1299, BXPC-3, 22RV1, and normal DMEM cell lines using WST-1 assay. Their clastogenic/aneugenic activities and anticlastogenic effects against the anticancer drug mitomycin C were assessed by the <italic>in vitro</italic> micronucleus assay in CHO cells. Their antioxidant capacities were determined using Fe<sup>2+</sup>-chelating and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: Both saponins were described for the first time in <italic>Cyclamen libanoticum</italic>. They showed strong cytotoxic activities against the tested cancer cell lines. Saxifragifolin B was found to be 56- and 37-times more active than mitomycin C against breast adenocarcinoma (SK-BR-3) and lung carcinoma (NCI-H1299), respectively. Also, saxifragifolin B did not induce micronuclei formation and prevented cells from mitomycin C clastogenic effect. Cyclamin induced a significant increase of micronucleated cells after metabolic activation with S9 mix, and did not possess any anticlastogenic activity. Both molecules exhibited low antioxidant activities as compared to reference compounds.</p> <p> <italic>Discussion and conclusions</italic>: This study showed the remarkable cytotoxic activity of saxifragifolin B, especially against breast adenocarcinoma and lung carcinoma and its chemoprotective activity against mitomycin C. Thus, saxifragifolin B could be suggested as a potential cytotoxic drug with a preventive effect against possible exposures to genotoxic agents.</p> </abstract>