Triterpenoid saponins from Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth and their inhibitory effect on the survival of high grade human brain tumor cells

Prediction of Cell Migration in MDA-MB 231 and MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells Treated with Albizia Lebbeck Methanolic Extract Using Multilinear Regression and Artificial Intelligence-Based Models

Breast cancer is a common cancer affecting women worldwide, and it progresses from breast tissue to other parts of the body through a process called metastasis. Albizia lebbeck is a valuable plant with medicinal properties due to some active biological macromolecules, and it's cultivated in subtropical and tropical regions of the world. This study reports the phytochemical compositions, the cytotoxic, anti-proliferative and anti-migratory potential of A. lebbeck methanolic (ALM) extract on strongly and weakly metastatic MDA-MB 231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, respectively. Furthermore, we employed and compared an artificial neural network (ANN), an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), and multilinear regression analysis (MLR) to predict cell migration on the treated cancer cells with various concentrations of the extract using our experimental data. Lower concentrations of the ALM extract (10, 5 & 2.5 μg/mL) showed no significant effect. Higher concentrations (25, 50, 100 & 200 μg/mL) revealed a significant effect on the cytotoxicity and proliferation of the cells when compared with the untreated group (p < 0.05; n ≥ 3). Furthermore, the extract revealed a significant decrease in the motility index of the cells with increased extract concentrations (p < 0.05; n ≥ 3). The comparative study of the models observed that both the classical linear MLR and AI-based models could predict metastasis in MDA-MB 231 and MCF-7 cells. Overall, various ALM extract concentrations showed promising an-metastatic potential in both cells, with increased concentration and incubation period. The outcomes of MLR and AI-based models on our data revealed the best performance. They will provide future development in assessing the anti-migratory efficacies of medicinal plants in breast cancer metastasis.

A New Triterpenoid Saponin from Albizia zygia Induced Apoptosis by Reduction of Mitochondrial Potential Status in Malignant Melanoma Cells

In our ongoing research program on the proapoptotic function of saponins, two previously undescribed saponins, named zygiaosides E (1: ) and F (2: ), were isolated from the leaves of Albizia zygia. Their structures were established based on extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR data, HR-ESI-MS analysis, and by chemical degradation. The proapoptotic effect of zygiaoside E (1: ) was evaluated on human malignant melanoma (A375), human epidermoid cancer (A431), and normal Homo sapiens skin tissue (TE 353.SK.) cell lines by cytometric analysis. Zygiaoside E (1: ) induced apoptosis of the two human cancer cell lines (A375 and A431) in a dose-dependent manner at 1 µM but did not induce apoptosis in noncancerous skin cells (TE 353.Sk), even when treated with concentrations up to 15 µM. The underlying mechanism of the apoptosis induction activity of zygiaoside E (1: ) on the mitochondrial membrane potential status in A375 cells was further assessed by monitoring the uptake rate of DiOC6, a mitochondrial specific and voltage-dependent fluorescent dye. The number of malignant melanoma cells emitting high fluorescence levels was decreased when cells were treated with 3 or 5 µM of zygiaoside E (1: ) during either 12 or 24 h, thereby revealing a drop of mitochondrial membrane potential in A375 cells upon treatment, which indicated mitochondrial perturbation.

A Comprehensive Insight into the Phytochemical, Pharmacological Potential, and Traditional Medicinal Uses of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth

Background. Albizialebbeck is a deciduous tree having tremendous medicinal utilities, for example, respiratory, skin, gastrointestinal, oral disorders, eye, urinary, genital, anorectal, inflammatory, and neurological disorders, and venereal diseases. Several studies have been undertaken on the medicinal and traditional values of A. lebbeck. Objective. The detailed information about its medicinal uses and pharmacological implications is highly scattered and distributed in different data sources. Hence, the study was conducted to supply an inclusive review of its ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemicals, and the available pharmacological attributes supporting its efficiency in traditional medicine. Method. Literature surveys were conducted on this medicinal plant via search engines like Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct, and obtained information up to December 2020 has been assessed and analyzed for this study. Results. Systematic investigation revealed that A. lebbeck consists of various phytochemicals, including major alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and terpenoids. Its crude extract, fraction, and bioactive compounds exhibited potent adulticidal, antiallergic, anticancer, anticonvulsant, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antinociceptive, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antipyretic, antivenom, estrogenic, neuroprotective, nootropic, ovicidal, and wound healing activities. Conclusions. This study proposes that A. lebbeck remains a rich source of phytochemicals with various biological activities which possess outstanding therapeutic benefits to humanity across the world. However, studies are required to estimate the potential side effects. Moreover, mechanistic physiognomies of the isolated compounds with known bioactivities are quite limited; thus, forthcoming research needs to focus on the mechanisms of these active phytochemicals to facilitate their potential enrolling for drug discovery.

Two new triterpenoid saponins from the flowers of Albizia lebbeck

The chemical investigation of the fresh flowers of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. (Fabaceae, Mimosoideae) led to the isolation of two new echinocystic acid saponins. They were isolated by using chromatographic methods and their structures were elucidated by detailed ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral data including 2 D-NMR (COSY, HSQC, HMBC and APT) spectroscopic techniques, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) and acid hydrolysis. Their structures were established as 16-hydroxy-3-[[O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1→6)-2-(acetylamino)-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl]oxy]-(3β,16α)-olean-12-en-28-oic acid O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1) and 16-hydroxy-3-[[O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1→6)-2-(acetylamino)-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl]oxy]-(3β,16α)-olean-12-en-28-oic acid 6-O-[(2S,3R,4R)-tetrahydro-3-hydroxy-4-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furanyl]-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (2). Additionally, the permeability property and the capacity of interaction with biological membranes of compounds 1 and 2 were investigated.

Glycosides of polygalacic acid from the stem barks of Piper guineense Schum and Thonn

In a continuation of our study on constituents of P. guineense now focusing on the search for saponins, phytochemical investigation of the n-BuOH fraction of P. guineense stem bark led to the isolation of three previously undescribed triterpenoid saponins, named guineenosides A─C (1─3). Their structures were established on the basis of extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR (¹H, ¹³C NMR, DEPT, COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, HSQC, HSQC-TOCSY and HMBC) and HRESIMS experiments, and by chemical evidence as 3-O-{α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-[α-l-arabinofuranosyl-(1 → 4)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-fucopyranosyl} polygalacic acid 28-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl ester (1), 3-O-{α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-[α-l-arabinofuranosyl-(1 → 4)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-fucopyranosyl} polygalacic acid 28-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl ester (2), and 3-O-{α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-fucopyranosyl} polygalacic acid 28-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl ester (3). This is the first report of triterpenoid saponins from P. guineense.

The ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of genus Albizia: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The genus Albizia (Leguminosae) comprises about 150 species and some species have been used for the treatment of rheumatism, stomachache, cough, diarrhea, and wounds in traditional and local medicine. The aim of the review: This review article documents and critically assesses the current status of the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of the Albizia species.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All provided literatures on the Albizia species were searched using the electronic databases (e.g. Web of Science, Elsevier, Springer, PubMed, ACS, CNKI, Google Scholar, and Baidu Scholar), books, and theses with keywords of 'Albizia' and 'Albizzia'.

RESULTS

Albizia species have been used for melancholia, insomnia, wounds, fever, abscesses, diabetes, headache, stomachache, diarrhea, cough, rheumatism, snake bite, malaria, and parasitic infection in traditional and local medicine. These plants mainly contain triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, lignanoids, alkaloids, phenolic glycosides, etc. Albizia species have been demonstrated to possess various pharmacological activities. Among them, the antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antifertility, antianxiety, antidepressant, and anti-fever properties are consistent with the traditional and local applications of the Albizia species.

CONCLUSIONS

The traditional and local uses of Albizia species have been partially demonstrated by the pharmacological investigation. However, some traditional applications have not been assessed scientifically due to incomplete methodologies and ambiguous findings. Moreover, no clinical evidences support the health benefits of these plants. The systematic and comprehensive preclinical studies and clinical trials are still required to verify the pharmacological activities, clinical efficacy, and safety of Albizia species.

Zoopharmacology: A Way to Discover New Cancer Treatments

Zoopharmacognosy is the multidisciplinary approach of the self-medication behavior of many kinds of animals. Recent studies showed the presence of antitumoral secondary metabolites in some of the plants employed by animals and their use for the same therapeutic purposes in humans. Other related and sometimes confused term is Zootherapy, which consists on the employment of animal parts and/or their by-products such as toxins, venoms, etc., to treat different human ailments. Therefore, the aim of this work is to provide a brief insight for the use of Zoopharmacology (comprising Zoopharmacognosy and Zootherapy) as new paths to discover drugs studying animal behavior and/or using compounds derived from animals. This work is focused on the approaches related to cancer, in order to propose a new promising line of research to overcome multidrug resistance (MDR). This novel subject will encourage the use of new alternative prospective ways to find new medicines.

Triterpenoids

This review covers newly isolated triterpenoids that have been reported during 2015.

Saponin with antibacterial activity from the roots of Albizia adianthifolia

An unprecedented saponin is being reported herein together with five known compounds from the methanol extract of the roots of Albizia adianthifolia. The metabolites were obtained over repeated open column chromatography methods and spectroscopic followed by spectrometric techniques. The isolated compounds were tested against eleven Gram-negative bacteria including multidrug resistant strains. The results revealed considerable inhibition of the new saponin against the studied bacteria with MIC values ranging from 16 to 128 μg/mL.

Anticancer activity of saponin isolated from Albizia lebbeck using various in vitro models

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. (Family: Mimosaceae) is commonly known as Sirisha in Sanskrit. The leaves and pods of A. lebbeck were claimed to be used against cancer in traditional medicine. Previous studies using bark, leaves, seeds and pods of A. lebbeck showed cytotoxic activity against hepatic, colon, larynx, cervical and breast cancer cell lines.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the anticancer activity of saponin rich fraction of Albizia lebbeck by using various in vitro models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Albiziasaponins (A-E) are oleanene triterpene presents in Albizia lebbeck were used for in silico studies. In silico testing of albiziasaponins for structure based pharmacological activity prediction using PASS Online software and docking with Autodock tool and Autodock Vina revels it's anticancer and apoptogenic potential. Antiproliferative activity of saponin rich fraction of A. lebbeck was performed using MCF-7 human breast cancer cells by MTT assay methods. Anti-angiogenic property of saponin rich fraction of A. lebbeck was evaluated in in vitro shell less chick embryo cultures with different concentrations (0.1 µg/ml, 0.5 µg/ml, and 1 µg/ml) by using ImageJ software. In vitro cultured lymphocytes chromosomal aberration assay was performed to determine the physical integrity of chromosomes in cells and effect of saponin rich fraction of A. lebbeck on cell cycle. Apoptogenic potential was evaluated using Caspases-3 and Caspase-8 ELISA assay in MCF-7 cells.

RESULTS

Result of MTT assay showed IC50 of saponin rich fraction of A. lebbeck at 1 μg/ml in MCF-7 cells. Treatment with saponin rich fraction of A. lebbeck significantly (p < 0.05) reduced angiogenic parameters. Significant chromosomal aberrations (hypodiploid, hyperdiploid, ring, premature separation, Dicentric fragments, Acentric fragment, chromatid break, and chromosomal gap) were observed in saponin rich fraction of A. lebbeck treated groups. Treatment with saponin rich fraction of A. lebbeck increased levels of Caspases-3 (optical density of 0.24 at 450 nm) and Caspase-8 (optical density of 0.31 at 450 nm) as compared to staurosporine (optical density of 2.47 and 2.65 for caspases-3 and -8 respectively at 450 nm).

CONCLUSION

In our study, saponin rich fraction of A. lebbeck showed antiproliferative, antiangiogenic and apoptogenic potential using various in-vitro models. It also found to increase chromosomal aberration and thereby may affect cell cycle.

Structural characterization of a complex triterpenoid saponin from Albizia lebbeck and investigation of its permeability property and supramolecular interactions with membrane constituents

As part of the ongoing efforts in discovering potentially bioactive natural products from medicinal plants, the present study was conducted to isolate a new complex triterpenoid saponin from the barks of Albizia lebbeck. It was isolated by using chromatographic methods and its structural elucidation was performed using detailed analyses of ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra including 2D-NMR (COSY, TOCSY, HSQC and HMBC) spectroscopic techniques, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) analysis and chemical conversions. Its structure was established as 21-[[(2E,6S)-6-[6-deoxy-4-O-[(2E,6S)-6-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-methyl-1-oxo-2,7-octadienyl]-[(β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-methyl-1-oxo-2,7-octadienyl]-[(β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-2,6-dimethyl-1-oxo-2,7-octadienyl]oxy]-16-hydroxy-3-[[O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-2-(acetylamino)-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl]oxy]-(3β,16α,21β)-olean-12-en-28-oic acid O-α-l-arabinofuranosyl-(1 → 4)-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)]-O-6-deoxy-α-l-mannopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (1). Additionally, this study aimed to investigate the permeability property of 1, its activity on membrane integrity and supramolecular interactions with cellular constituents using in vitro experimental models.

Biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Albizia lebbeck stem bark, and evaluation of its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities on human breast cancer cell lines

Background

Biocompatibility and stability of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesized using plants is an interesting research area of study in nanotechnology, due to its wide applications in biomedical, industrial, cell imaging, and biosensor fields. The present study reports the novel green synthesis of stable ZnO NPs using various concentrations of zinc nitrate (0.01M, 0.05M, 0.1M) and Albizia lebbeck stem bark extracts as an efficient chelating agent. Antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antiproliferative activities of the synthesized NPs on human breast cancer cell lines were evaluated using different assays.

Methods

Characterization of the synthesized ZnO NPs were carried out using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Antimicrobial activity evaluation using disc diffusion method, antioxidant activity using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) free radical scavenging assay and cytotoxic activity on MDA-MB 231 and MCF-7 using tryphan blue dye exclusion and MTT assay.

Results

The UV–vis spectroscopy result revealed an absorption peak in the range of 370 nm. The involvements of A. lebbeck bioactive compounds in the stabilization of the ZnO NPs were confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared analysis. Zeta sizer studies showed an average size of 66.25 nm with a polydisparity index of 0.262. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses results revealed irregular spherical morphology and the presence of primarily Zn, C, O, Na, P, and K, respectively. The biosynthesized ZnO NPs revealed strong antimicrobial potentials against various gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial pathogens. Antioxidant activities carried out using H₂O₂ free radical scavenging assay revealed higher IC50 values of 48.5, 48.7, and 60.2 µg/mL for 0.1M, 0.05M, and 0.01M ZnO NPs, respectively. Moreover, the biosynthesized ZnO NPs showed significant cytotoxic effects on MDA-MB 231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines (P< 0.001, n≥3) in a concentration-dependent manner.

Conclusion

Overall, various concentrations of ZnO NPs were synthesized through a stable, simple, and eco-friendly green route via the use of A. lebbeck stem bark extract. The biosynthesized ZnO NPs showed strong antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity against strongly and weakly metastatic breast cancer cell lines.

Corosolic acid analogue, a natural triterpenoid saponin, induces apoptosis on human hepatocarcinoma cells through mitochondrial pathway in vitro

Context 2a,-3a,-24-Trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (TEO, a corosolic acid analogue) is a triterpenoid saponin isolated from Actinidia valvata Dunn (Actinidiaceae), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine. Objective This study investigated the anti-proliferation and inducing apoptosis effects of TEO in three human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. Materials and methods Cytotoxic activity of TEO was determined by the MTT assay at various concentrations from 2.5 to 40 μg/mL in BEL-7402, BEL-7404 and SMMC-7721 cell lines. Cell morphology was assessed by acridine orange/ethidium bromide and 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride staining and fluorescence microscopy. Cell-cycle distribution and DNA damage were determined by flow cytometry and comet assay. Mitochondrial dysfunction was assessed by JC-1 staining and transmission electron microscopy. Apoptosis changes were explored by Western blot, TNF-α and caspase-3, -8, -9 assays. Results TEO exhibited inhibition effects on BEL-7402, BEL-7404 and SMMC-7721 cells treated for 24 h, the IC50 values were 34.6, 30.8 and 30.5 μg/mL, respectively. TEO (40 μg/mL)-treated three cell lines increased by more than 21% in the G1 phase and presented the morphological change and DNA damage. TEO also declined the mitochondrial membrane potential and altered mitochondrial ultra-structure. Furthermore, caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9 and TNF-α were also activated. Mechanism investigation showed that TEO could decrease anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein expression, increase proapoptotic Bax and Bid proteins expressions and increase Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Conclusion Our results demonstrate for the first time that TEO inhibited growth of HCC cell lines and induced G1 phase arrest. Moreover, proapoptotic effects of TEO were mediated through the activation of TNF-α, caspases and mitochondrial pathway.