Antioxidant, anti-lipoxygenase and cytotoxic activity of Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) decne polyphenolic constituents

Molecules. 2011 Sep 5;16(9):7510-21. doi: 10.3390/molecules16097510.

Abstract

Leptadenia pyrotechnica Forssk is a traditional medicinal herb used for treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancer. In this research, the aqueous ethanolic crude extract of Leptadenia pyrotechnica aerial parts, along with its ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water partitioning fractions were evaluated for their antioxidant capacity, polyphenolic content, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The total antioxidant capacity was estimated by the FRAP, DPPH, ABTS and β-carotene bleaching assays.The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the highest polyphenolic content (252.27 mg gallic acid/g) and the best antioxidant activity (1.2, 0.57, 0.45 mmol ascorbic acid equivalent/g in the FRAP, ABTS and DPPH assays, respectively). Furthermore, the same extract showed appreciable anti-inflammatory via lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 1.41 µg/mL). Moreover, the ethyl acetate fraction also showed the strongest cytotoxic effect (IC₅₀ = 43.16 µg/mL) against MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line. These results suggest that this plant may be considered an interesting source of compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties for therapeutic, nutraceutical and functional food applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Apocynaceae / chemistry*
  • Benzothiazoles / chemistry
  • Biphenyl Compounds / chemistry
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Enzyme Assays
  • Free Radical Scavengers / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Lipoxygenase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Picrates / chemistry
  • Plant Components, Aerial / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Polyphenols / pharmacology*
  • Sulfonic Acids / chemistry

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Benzothiazoles
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Lipoxygenase Inhibitors
  • Picrates
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polyphenols
  • Sulfonic Acids
  • 2,2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid
  • 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl