Ethnopharmacological relevance: The roots and rhizomes of Clematis are commonly used as an analgesic, abirritative, antibacterial, antiphlogistic, anticancer and diuretic agent. The Naxi people traditionally used Clematis ganpiniana's (Lévl. Et Vant.) as a diuretic agent, an anti-inflammatory and anticancer remedy.
Aim of study: To investigate the cytotoxic and antibacterial components from Clematis ganpiniana.
Materials and methods: The aboveground part of Clematis ganpiniana was isolated by chromatographic techniques. Structures of isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic methods and comparison with published data. Their cytotoxic, apoptosis and antibacterial activities of purified components were also performed.
Results: By bioassay-guided fractionation techniques and chemical characterization, four triterpene glycosides were isolated and their cytotoxicity against cancer cells and antibacterial activity were tested. They showed significant inhibitory activities against MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 with IC50 value of 0.7-16.5 microg/ml, and significant apoptosis for MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. Moreover, compound 4 showed weak wide-spectrum antibacterial activity.
Conclusion: These results provide promising baseline information for the potential use of Clematis ganpiniana as well as some of the isolated compounds in the treatment of cancer and infectious disease.