Cytotoxicity of Atriplex confertifolia

Phytoecdysteroids and Anabolic Effect of Atriplex dimorphostegia: UPLC-PDA-MS/MS Profiling, In Silico and In Vivo Models

Atriplex dimorphostegia (Saltbush) is an annual halophytic shrub that is widely distributed across various parts of Asia. The current study is the first to report the metabolites profile of the total ethanol extract of the aerial parts of A. dimorphostegia (TEAD), and its anabolic activity together with the isolated 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE) in orchidectomized male rats. TEAD was analyzed and standardized utilizing UPLC-PDA-ESI−MS/MS and UPLC-PDA-UV techniques, resulting in tentative identification of fifty compounds including polyphenols, steroids and triterpenoids. In addition, 20-HE was quantified, representing 26.79 μg/mg of the extract. Phytochemical investigation of TEAD resulted in the isolation of 20-HE from the ethyl acetate fraction (EFAD) and was identified by conventional spectroscopic methods of analysis. Furthermore, the anabolic effect of the isolated 20-HE and TEAD was then evaluated using in silico and in vivo models. Molecular docking experiments revealed in vitro selectivity of 20-HE towards estrogen receptors (ERs), specifically ERβ over ERα and androgenic receptor (AR). The anabolic efficacy of TEAD and 20-HE was studied in orchidectomized immature male Wistar rats using the weight of gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. The weights of ventral prostate and seminal vesicles were used as indicators for androgenic activity. Rats administered 20-HE and TEAD showed a significant increase (p = 0.0006 and p < 0.0001) in the net muscle mass compared to the negative control, while the group receiving TEAD showed the highest percentage among all groups at p < 0.0001. Histopathological investigation of skeletal muscle fibers showed normal morphological structures, and the group administered 20-HE showed an increase in cross sectional area of muscle fibers comparable to methandienone and testosterone groups at p > 0.99. A. dimorphostegia exhibited promising anabolic activity with minimal androgenic side effects.

LC-MS/MS Phytochemical Profiling, Antioxidant Activity, and Cytotoxicity of the Ethanolic Extract of Atriplex halimus L. against Breast Cancer Cell Lines: Computational Studies and Experimental Validation

Atriplex halimus L., also known as Mediterranean saltbush, and locally as "Lgtef", an halophytic shrub, is used extensively to treat a wide variety of ailments in Morocco. The present study was undertaken to determine the antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of the ethanolic extract of A. halimus leaves (AHEE). We first determined the phytochemical composition of AHEE using a liquid chromatography (LC)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) technique. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using different methods including DPPH scavenging capacity, β-carotene bleaching assay, ABTS scavenging, iron chelation, and the total antioxidant capacity assays. Cytotoxicity was investigated against human cancer breast cells lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The results showed that the components of the extract are composed of phenolic acids and flavonoids. The DPPH test showed strong scavenging capacity for the leaf extract (IC₅₀ of 0.36 ± 0.05 mg/mL) in comparison to ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ of 0.19 ± 0.02 mg/mL). The β-carotene test determined an IC₅₀ of 2.91 ± 0.14 mg/mL. The IC₅₀ values of ABTS, iron chelation, and TAC tests were 44.10 ± 2.92 TE µmol/mL, 27.40 ± 1.46 mg/mL, and 124 ± 1.27 µg AAE/mg, respectively. In vitro, the AHE extract showed significant inhibitory activity in all tested tumor cell lines, and the inhibition activity was found in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, computational techniques such as molecular docking and ADMET analysis were used in this work. Moreover, the physicochemical parameters related to the compounds' pharmacokinetic indicators were evaluated, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity prediction (Pro-Tox II).

Bio-guided profiling and HPLC-DAD finger printing of Atriplex lasiantha Boiss

BACKGROUND

Plants represent an intricate and innovative source for the discovery of novel therapeutic remedies for the management of various ailments. The current study has been aimed to validate the therapeutic potential of ethnomedicinally significant plant Atriplex lasiantha Boiss.

METHODS

The polarity based extraction process was carried out using fourteen solvents to figure out best extraction solvent and bioactive fractions. Total phenolic-flavonoids contents were quantified colorimetrically and polyphenolics were measured using HPLC-DAD analysis. Moreover, the test samples were tested against several diseases targets following various assays including free radicals scavenging, antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic and antileishmanial assay.

RESULTS

Among the solvent fractions, maximum yield was obtained with methanol-water extract i.e., 11 ± 0.49%. Maximum quantity of gallic acid equivalent phenolic content and quercetin equivalent flavonoid content were quantified in methanol-ethyl acetate extract of A. lasiantha. Significant quantity of rutin i.e., 0.3 μg/mg was quantified by HPLC analysis. The methanol-ethyl acetate extract of A. lasiantha exhibited maximum total antioxidant and total reducing power with 64.8 ± 1.16 AAE/mg extract respectively, while showing 59.8 ± 1.07% free radical scavenging potential. A significant antibacterial potential was exhibited by acetone-distilled water extract of A. lasiantha with 11 ± 0.65 mm zone of inhibition against B. subtilis. Considerable antifungal activity was exhibited by ethyl acetate-n-hexane extract of aerial part of A. lasiantha with 14 ± 1.94 mm zone of inhibition against A. fumigatus. Highest percentage of α-amylase inhibition (41.8 ± 1.09%) was observed in ethyl acetate-n-hexane extract. Methanol-acetone extract of A. lasiantha demonstrated significant inhibition of hyphae formation with 11 ± 0.49 mm bald zone of inhibition. Significant in-vitro cytotoxicity against Hep G2 cell line has been exhibited by methanol-chloroforms extract of A. lasiantha.

CONCLUSION

The current study reveals the prospective potential of Atriplex lasiantha Boiss. for the discovery of biologically active compounds through bioassay guided isolation against various diseases.

MOLLUSCICIDAL AND LARVICIDAL ACTIVITIES OF Atriplex inflata AERIAL PARTS AGAINST THE MOLLUSK Galba truncatula, INTERMEDIATE HOST OF Fasciola hepatica

Fasciolosis is a widespread parasitosis of farm live-stock in many developing countries. For this reason, it is necessary to search for new substances against parasitic diseases caused by flukes. Indeed, a wide variety of terrestrial plants have been subjected to chemical and pharmacological screening in order to discover their potential for human medicinal use. The molluscicidal and larvicidal activities of Atriplex inflata were tested on Galba truncatula and Fasciola hepatica larval stages infecting this snail in Tunisia. Phytochemical tests were conducted on extracts in order to establish a meaningful relationship with molluscicidal and larvicidal activities. The molluscicidal activity was evaluated by subjecting snails to sample aqueous solutions. Accordingly, hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and methanol-water (8:2, v-v) were used as extraction solvents. As a result, hexane and ethyl acetate extracts showed potent activity, according to the World Health Organization, giving LC₅₀ = 7.59 mg/L and 6.69 mg/L for hexane extracts of leaves and fruits, respectively. Ethyl acetate extracts gave LC₅₀ = 5.90 mg/L and 7.32 mg/L for leaves and fruits, successively. Molluscicidal activities of powders were less potent on snails, but active according to the World Health Organization. Hexane and ethyl acetate extracts from leaves and fruits gave potent larvicidal activities with a delay rate exceeding 45.50% (45.50- 98.92%). Phytochemical tests showed that these activities may be attributed to the presence of triterpenoids and/or sterols.

Bioactive triterpenoids from Atriplex lasiantha

Chromatographic purification of the ethyl acetate soluble fraction from the methanolic extract of Atriplex lasiantha yielded a new triterpenoid, 7β,15α,16β-trihydroxyolean-12-ene-28,30-dioic acid-3-O-β-D-xylopyranoside (1), along with two known triterpenoids, rotundifolioside I (2) and corchorusin B (3). Structures of the compounds 1-3 were elucidated through sophisticated NMR studies and high resolution mass spectrometry. The three isolates (1-3) were evaluated for antibacterial, antioxidant, and antiurease activities. Compound 2 exhibited the best antibacterial activity against Escherichiacoli with IC50 value of 66.25 μg/ml, whereas, all the tested compounds exhibited antioxidant (IC50 values of 68.7-75.4 μg/ml) and antiurease (IC50 values of 25.5-49.3 μg/ml) activities, respectively.

Synthesis and anti-tumor evaluation of B-ring substituted steroidal pyrazoline derivatives

The synthesis and anti-tumor activity screening of new steroidal derivatives (4-18) containing pharmacologically attractive pyrazoline moieties are performed. During in vitro anticancer evaluation, the newly synthesized compounds displayed moderate to good cytotoxicity on cervical and leukemia cancer cell lines. In addition these compounds were found to be nontoxic to normal cell (PBMCs) (IC50>50 μM). The structure-activity relationship is also discussed. The most effective anticancer compound 9 was found to be active with IC50 value of 10.6 μM. It demonstrated significant antiproliferative influence on Jurkat cell lines. The morphological changes and growth characteristics of HeLa cells treated with compound 4 were analyzed by means of SEM.

Cytotoxicity of selected medicinal and nonmedicinal plant extracts to microbial and cervical cancer cells

This study investigated the cytotoxicity of 55 species of plants. Each plant was rated as medicinal, or nonmedicinal based on the existing literature. About 79% of the medicinal plants showed some cytotoxicity, while 75% of the nonmedicinal plants showed bioactivity. It appears that Asteraceae, Labiatae, Pinaceae, and Chenopodiaceae were particularly active against human cervical cancer cells. Based on the literature, only three of the 55 plants have been significantly investigated for cytotoxicity. It is clear that there is much toxicological work yet to be done with both medicinal and nonmedicinal plants.