Isolation and characterization of bioactive alkaloids and GC-MS based identification of volatile oil metabolites from fruits of Glycosmis pentaphylla and evaluation of their cytotoxic activity

Glycosmis pentaphylla, a member of the Rutaceae family, has been extensively studied for its pharmacological activities, focusing mainly on the cytotoxic properties of its roots and stems. Conversely, limited researched has been done in terms of the phytochemical composition of the fruits. The objective of this study is to isolate and identify the bioactive compounds found in the fruits of G. pentaphylla and then evaluate their potential for anti-cancer activity in oral cancer CAL 27 cell lines. The extraction of bioactive compounds from fruits was done by maceration, and the isolation of alkaloids and volatile oil fractions (F1-F5) was performed by column chromatography. The alkaloids, such as 3-O-methoxyglycocitrine II, noracronycine, 1-hydroxy-3-methoxy-10-methyl-9-acridone and kokusaginine, were first isolated from the fruits of G. pentaphylla. Additionally, GC-MS analysis identified 78 metabolites. The isolated compounds and identified volatile oil fractions were explored for their anti-cancer activity by cell viability assay. Results demonstrated that isolated compounds were found inactive, while the volatile fraction F1 was found active in CAL 27 cell line. Fraction F1 impeded wound healing in CAL 27 cells by scratch assay, and significantly inhibited colony formation in colony formation assay. In cell cycle analysis, treatment with fraction F1 redistributed cells to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. α-elemol (2) is the major metabolite identified from the F1 fraction by GC-MS, which could be responsible for the anti-cancer activity. There is potential for future work to further isolate volatile oil metabolites and evaluate their anti-cancer activity through in-vivo techniques.

Novel studies on Isolation, purification and characterization of dibenzonitro compound from Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) DC. and effect in downregulating neuronal cancers

To isolate Letrozole from Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) DC. and to determine its effect on regulating the proliferation, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and key mechanisms in human neuroblastoma cell lines. Letrozole was isolated through column chromatographic technique and its effect was checked on human neuroblastoma cell lines, IMR 32. The effects of Letrozole on cell viability were measured by MTT assay, and the cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. The expression changes in mRNA of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin D1 and Bcl-xL were taken from real-time PCR analysis and the protein levels were detected by Western blotting. The results of the present study showed that Letrozole, isolated from leaves of G. pentaphylla could cause significant inhibitory effect on proliferation of IMR 32 cells in a dose dependent manner. Cell arrest was obtained at S phase with the treatment of Letrozole. Apart from this, the expression of PCNA, cyclin D1 and Bcl-xL were decreased both at mRNA and protein levels for the same treatment. Letrozole can inhibit proliferation, induce cell arrest and cause apoptosis in IMR 32 cell lines. The decreased expression of PCNA, cyclin D1 and Bcl-xL induced by Letrozole contributes to the above effects in vitro. This is the first report on the isolation of Letrozole from G. pentaphylla.

Components with Anti-Diabetic Activity Isolated from the Leaves and Twigs of Glycosmis pentaphylla Collected in Vietnam

A phytochemical investigation of the leaves and twigs of Glycosmis pentaphylla (Rutaceae), collected in Vietnam, yielded three new compounds named glyfuran (1), glyphyllamide (2), and glyphyllazole (3), along with twenty-five known compounds (4-28). The structures of isolates were determined by IR, MS, NMR, and UV data analyses. In the anti-diabetic activity screening, (+)-isoaltholacton (4), glycoborinine (17), 2',4'-dihydroxy-4,6'-dimethoxychalcone (24), and flavokawain A (25) simultaneously exhibited inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) and stimulation of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion on the murine intestinal secretin tumor cell line (STC-1).

Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities and toxicological profile of Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) DC.: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) DC. is a perennial shrub indigenous to the tropical and subtropical regions of India, China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippine, Java, Sumatra, Borneo and Australia. The plant is used extensively within these regions as a traditional medicine for the treatment of a variety of ailments including cough, fever, chest pain, anemia, jaundice, liver disorders, inflammation, bronchitis, rheumatism, urinary tract infections, pain, bone fractures, toothache, gonorrhea, diabetes, cancer and other chronic diseases.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review aims to present up-to-date information regarding the taxonomy, botany, distribution, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicological profile of G. pentaphylla. The presented information was analyzed critically to understand current work undertaken on this species and explore possible future prospects for this plant in pharmaceutical research.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Bibliographic databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Wiley Online Library, Semantic Scholar, Europe PMC, Scopus, and MEDLINE, were explored thoroughly for the collection of relevant information. The structures of phytoconstituents were confirmed with PubChem and SciFinder databases. Taxonomical information on the plant was presented in accordance with The Plant List (version 1.1).

RESULTS

Extensive phytochemical investigations into different parts of G. pentaphylla have revealed the presence of at least 354 secondary metabolites belonging to structurally diverse classes including alkaloids, amides, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, glycosides, aromatic compounds, steroids, terpenoids, and fatty derivatives. A large number of in vitro and in vivo experiments have demonstrated that G. pentaphylla had anticancer, antimutagenic, antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, mosquitocidal, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, anti-arsenicosis, and wound healing properties. Toxicological studies have established the absence of any significant adverse reactions and showed that the plant had a moderate safety profile.

CONCLUSIONS

G. pentaphylla can be suggested as a source of inspiration for the development of novel drugs, especially anticancer, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, and mosquitocidal agents. Moreover, bioassay-guided investigations into its diverse classes of secondary metabolites, especially the large pool of nitrogen-containing alkaloids and amides, promises the development of novel drug candidates. Future pharmacological studies into this species are also warranted as many of its traditional uses are yet to be validated scientifically.

Anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative prenylated sulphur-containing amides from the leaves of Glycosmis pentaphylla

Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) DC (Rutaceae) has been traditionally considered as anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory medicine. However, active compounds of sulphur-containing amides remain largely unknown. In the present work, eighteen previously undescribed sulphur-containing amides (1-18) and three known analogues (19-21) were isolated from the leaves of G. pentaphylla. Their structures were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. All isolated prenylated sulphur-containing amides were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory properties together with antiproliferative activities in vivo. Prenylated sulphur-containing amides exhibited significant inhibitory effects against nitric oxide (NO) production stimulated by lipopolysaccharide in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells with the IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.16 ± 0.10 to 16.74 ± 2.81 μM. Meanwhile, sulphur-containing amides also exhibited considerable antiproliferative activities against HepG2 cell line with IC₅₀ values ranging from 7.47 ± 0.91 to 16.23 ± 0.80 μM. These findings enrich and improve the research on the structural diversity and biological activity of sulphur-containing amides and provide phytochemical and pharmacological evidence for the further development and utilization of the leaves of G. pentaphylla in pharmaceutical industry.

Glycopentalone, a novel compound from Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) Correa with potent anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) Correa is used in Indian traditional medicine against various liver ailments, including cancer.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Isolation and characterization of the most active anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compound from the alcohol extract of G. pentaphylla.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Different chromatographic (HPLC, TLC and column chromatography) and methods like IR, LCMS and NMR were used for the isolation and structural identification of the active anti-HCC compound from G. pentaphylla. Cytotoxic and apoptosis inducing effect of the active compound were assessed in Hep3 B, RAW264.7 and HEK293 cell lines by MTT assay, morphological studies, Hoechst staining and Annexin V FITC assay.

RESULTS

The most active compound was isolated as yellow needle shaped crystals. The structure of the compound was identified by IR, LCMS and NMR methods. The structural details show that the isolated compound is a novel chemical and have structural similarity with chalcone. MTT assay, physiological and FACS analysis proved the anti-HCC efficacy of the isolated compound in vitro.

CONCLUSION

The study confirmed that the most active anti-HCC compound present in the alcohol extract of G. pentaphylla is a chalcone derivative. This compound showed specific cytotoxicity against Hep3 B with minor cytotoxicity against non HCC cell lines, RAW264.7 and HEK293. The present study, therefore, supports the folklore knowledge for the utility of G. pentaphylla and provides a scientific basis for their traditional usage against liver cancer.

Antiarthritic activity of a polyherbal formulation against Freund's complete adjuvant induced arthritis in Female Wistar rats

Objectives:

To formulate a polyherbal formulation and evaluate its antiarthritic activity against Freund's complete adjuvant induced arthritis in Female Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods:

Glycosmis pentaphylla, Tridax procumbens, and Mangifera indica are well-known plants available throughout India and they are commonly used for the treatment of various diseases including arthritis. The polyherbal formulation was formulated using the ethanol extracts of the stem bark of G. pentaphylla, whole plant of T. procumbens, and leaves of M. indica. The polyherbal formulation contains the ethanol extracts of G. pentaphylla, T. procumbens, and M. indica in the ratio of 2:2:1. The quality of the finished product was evaluated as per the World Health Organization's guidelines for the quality control of herbal materials. Arthritis was induced in female Wistar rats using Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA), and the antiarthritic effect of polyherbal formulation was studied at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg. The effects were compared with those of indomethacin (10 mg/kg). At the end of the study, blood samples were collected for biochemical and hematological analysis. The radiological examination was carried out before terminating the study.

Results:

Polyherbal formulation showed significant antiarthritic activity at 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively, and this effect was comparable with that of indomethacin. The antiarthritic activity of polyherbal formulation is supported by biochemical and hematological analysis.

Conclusion:

The polyherbal formulation showed signinicant antiarthritic activity against FCA-induced arthritis in female Wistar rats.

Phenolic glycosides from Glycosmis pentaphylla

Three new phenolic glycosides, named as glycopentosides A-C (1-3), along with nine known compounds were isolated from the n-BuOH extract of stems of Glycosmis pentaphylla. Their structures were determined by using spectroscopic and chemical methods. Bioassay showed that compound 10 (tachioside) could inhibit nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharides-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells with IC50 value of 12.14 μM.

Antidiabetic activity of polyherbal formulation in streptozotocin - nicotinamide induced diabetic wistar rats

Glycosmis pentaphylla, Tridax procumbens, and Mangifera indica are well-known plants available throughout India and they are commonly used for the treatment of various diseases including diabetes mellitus. The antidiabetic activity of the individual plant parts is well known, but the synergistic or combined effects are unclear. The concept of polyherbalism has been highlighted in Sharangdhar Samhita, an Ayurvedic literature dating back to 1300 AD. Polyherbal formulations enhance the therapeutic action and reduce the concentrations of single herbs, thereby reducing adverse events. The aim of the present study is to formulate a polyherbal formulation and evaluate its antidiabetic potential in animals. The polyherbal formulation was formulated using the ethanol extracts of the stem bark of G. pentaphylla, whole plant of T. procumbens, and leaves of M. indica. The polyherbal formulation contains the ethanol extracts of G. pentaphylla, T. procumbens, and M. indica in the ratio of 2:2:1. The quality of the finished product was evaluated as per the World Health Organization's guidelines for the quality control of herbal materials. The quality testing parameters of the polyherbal formulation were within the limits. Fingerprint analysis of the polyherbal formulation showed effective separation at 366 nm, and it revealed that the active compound present in the polyherbal formulation and the active compounds present in all the three extracts were the same. The acute toxicity studies of the polyherbal formulation did not show any toxic symptoms in doses up to 2000 mg/kg over 14 days. The oral antidiabetic activity of the polyherbal formulation (250 and 500 mg/kg) was screened against streptozotocin (50 mg/kg; i.p.) + nicotinamide (120 mg/kg; i.p.) induced diabetes mellitus in rats. The investigational drug was administered for 21 consecutive days, and the effect of the polyherbal formulation on blood glucose levels was studied at regular intervals. At the end of the study, the blood samples were collected from all the animals for biochemical estimation, and the animals were sacrificed and the liver and pancreatic tissues were collected for histopathologic analysis. Polyherbal formulation showed significant antidiabetic activity at 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively, and this effect was comparable with that of glibenclamide. The antidiabetic activity of polyherbal formulation is supported by biochemical and histopathologic analysis.