Sensitive quantification of coixol, a potent insulin secretagogue, in Scoparia dulcis extract using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry and UV detection

Preparation, characterization, and anticancer effects of an inclusion complex of coixol with β-cyclodextrin polymers

CONTEXT

Coix [Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. mayuen (Roman.) Stapf (Poaceae)], a crop of medicinal and edible significance, contains coixol, which has demonstrated anticancer properties. However, the limited solubility of coixol restricts its potential therapeutic applications.

OBJECTIVE

This study prepared a water-soluble coixol-β-cyclodextrin polymer (CDP) inclusion compound and evaluated its anticancer effect.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The coixol-CDP compound was synthesized through a solvent-stirring and freeze-drying technique. Its coixol content was quantified using HPLC, and its stability was tested under various conditions. The anticancer effects of the coixol-CDP compound (4.129, 8.259, 16.518, and 33.035 mg/L for 24, 48, and 72 h) on the proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 cells were evaluated using an MTT assay; cell morphology was examined by Hoechst nuclear staining; apoptosis and cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry; and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins was assessed by Western blots.

RESULTS

The water-soluble coixol-CDP inclusion compound was successfully prepared with an inclusion ratio of 86.6% and an inclusion yield rate of 84.1%. The coixol content of the compound was 5.63% and the compound remained stable under various conditions. Compared to coixol alone, all 24, 48, and 72 h administrations with the coixol-CDP compound exhibited lower IC50 values (33.93 ± 2.28, 16.80 ± 1.46, and 6.93 ± 0.83 mg/L) in A549 cells; the compound also showed stronger regulatory effects on apoptosis-related proteins.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

These findings offer a new perspective for the potential clinical application of Coix in NSCLC therapy and its future research.

Molecular Action Mechanism of Coixol from Soft-Shelled Adlay on Tyrosinase: The Future of Cosmetics

Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen L. Gramineae is widely cultivated in Taiwan. Literature regarding the molecular action mechanism of coixol on tyrosinase and the application of coicis seed extracts to the processing of facial masks is still lacking. Solvent extractability analysis revealed that most of the polyphenolics in coicis seeds were water soluble (3.17 ± 0.12 to 3.63 ± 0.07 μg/mLGAE). In contrast, the methanolic extract contained the most flavonoids (0.06 ± 0.00~0.26 ± 0.03 μg/mL QE) and coixol (11.43 ± 0.13~12.83 ± 0.14 μg/mL), showing potent antioxidant capability. Additionally, the contents of coixenolide (176.77 ± 5.91 to 238.60 ± 0.21 μg/g), phytosterol (52.45 ± 2.05 to 58.23 ± 1.14 mg/g), and polysaccharides (3.42 ± 0.10 to 4.41 ± 0.10 mg/g) were rather high. The aqueous extract (10 μg/mL) and the ethanolic extract (1 mg/mL) showed no cytotoxicity to B16F10 melanocytes. More attractively, the ethanolic extract at 1 mg/mL caused 48.4% inhibition of tyrosinase activity in B16F10 melanocytes, and 50.7% on human tyrosinase (hTyr) fragment 369-377. Conclusively, the coicis seed extracts containing abundant nutraceuticals with promising anti-hTyr activity and moisturizing capability can serve as good ingredients for facial mask processing.