Production of saponins from in vitro cultures of Astragalus glycyphyllos and their antineoplastic activity

Effect of a Total Extract and Saponins from Astragalus glycyphyllos L. on Human Coronavirus Replication In Vitro

Members of the family Coronaviridae cause diseases in mammals, birds, and wildlife (bats), some of which may be transmissible to humans or specific to humans. In the human population, they can cause a wide range of diseases, mainly affecting the respiratory and digestive systems. In the scientific databases, there are huge numbers of research articles about the antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and anthelmintic activities of medicinal herbs and crops with different ethnobotanical backgrounds. The subject of our research is the antiviral effect of isolated saponins, a purified saponin mixture, and a methanol extract of Astragalus glycyphyllos L. In the studies conducted for the cytotoxic effect of the substances, CC50 (cytotoxic concentration 50) and MTC (maximum tolerable concentration) were determined by the colorimetric method (MTT assay). The virus was cultured in the MDBK cell line. As a result of the experiments carried out on the influence of substances on viral replication (using MTT-based colorimetric assay for detection of human Coronavirus replication inhibition), it was found that the extract and the purified saponin mixture inhibited 100% viral replication. The calculated selective indices are about 13 and 18, respectively. The obtained results make them promising for a preparation with anti-Coronavirus action.

Anticancer Secondary Metabolites: From Ethnopharmacology and Identification in Native Complexes to Biotechnological Studies in Species of Genus Astragalus L. and Gloriosa L

Some of the most effective anticancer compounds are still derived from plants since the chemical synthesis of chiral molecules is not economically efficient. Rapid discovery of lead compounds with pronounced biological activity is essential for the successful development of novel drug candidates. This work aims to present the chemical diversity of antitumor bioactive compounds and biotechnological approaches as alternative production and sustainable plant biodiversity conservation. Astragalus spp., (Fabaceae) and Gloriosa spp. (Liliaceae) are selected as research objects within this review because they are known for their anticancer activity, because they represent two of the largest families respectively in dicots and monocots, and also because many of the medicinally important plants are rare and endangered. We summarized the ethnobotanical data concerning their anticancer application, highlighted the diversity of their secondary metabolites possessing anticancer properties such as saponins, flavonoids, and alkaloids, and revealed the potential of the in vitro cultures as an alternative way of their production. Since the natural supply is limited, it is important to explore the possibility of employing plant cell or organ in vitro cultures for the biotechnological production of these compounds as an alternative.

Induction of flavonoid biosynthesis by in vitro cultivation of Astragalus glycyphyllos L

Establishment of in vitro cultures from Astragalus glycyphyllos, determination of biomass and analysis of total flavonoids, rutin and camelliaside A were performed. To increase flavonoid production various combinations of plant hormones and light/dark regimen were investigated. Suspension cultures with exogenous quercetin were evaluated for possible increase in flavonoid production. Shoots, calli and suspensions were successfully established. Rutin and camelliaside A were proved in highest amount in shoots. Calli, cultivated on modified G48 medium, with double amount of Ca2+ and Mg2+, achieved higher total flavonoid content (2.37 and 2.03 mg/g DW). Suspensions cultures, cultivated on modified G48 medium with 10, 20 and 30 mg/mL quercetin achieved higher total flavonoid content (0.09, 0.10 and 0.13 mg/mg DW). Biotransformation of quercetin to isoquercitrin was achieved. The highest concentration of isoquercitrin (56.73 ng/mg DW) was observed on suspensions cultures cultivated on modified G48 medium, with 20 mg/mL quercetin.