Antiproliferative Effects of Alkaloids from the Bulbs of Crinum abyscinicum Hochst. ExA. Rich

Abstract

Crinum abyscinicum Hochst. ExA. Rich bulb is traditionally used in Ethiopia for the treatment of various ailments including internal parasites, mastitis, rabies, colic diseases of animals, and cancer. Despite its importance in traditional cancer treatment, no research work has been reported on the antiproliferative activity of the bulb extract and its major constituents. Phytochemical investigation of the bulb extract of C. abyscinicum by PTLC over silica gel resulted in the isolation of two alkaloids, which were unequivocally identified as 6-hydroxycrinamine and lycorine on the basis of 1H- and 13C-NMR and MS analysis. The bulb extract, 6-hydroxycrinamine, and lycorine possessed significant antiproliferative activity, lycorine being the most active exhibiting GI50 values of 2.8 μg/ml and 3.4 μg/ml against A2780 and MV4-11 cells, respectively. Cell cycle analysis and annexin V/propidium iodide double staining in A2780 cells revealed that both compounds increased the percentage of cells in the S-phase at 30 μg/ml without inducing apoptosis. Our results suggest that the antiproliferative activities of the bulb extract of C. abyscinicum, 6-hydroxycrinamine, and lycorine could support the traditional claim of the plant against cancer.

Alkaloid Profiling, Anti-Enzymatic and Antiproliferative Activity of the Endemic Chilean Amaryllidaceae Phycella cyrtanthoides

“…Additionally, several alkaloids contained in the extracts have been previously identified to have anticancer activity. Lycorine showed significant antiproliferative effects against A2780 and MV4-11 cells [46]. Previous studies have demonstrated that lycorine and haemanthamine were able to inhibit cell proliferation using a panel of 16 tumor cell lines [5].…”

Lead Anticancer Agents of Crinine Alkaloids: Cytotoxic, Caspase-3, and Anti-angiogenic Exploration

“…Crinum species are extremely rich in alkaloids. Many alkaloids isolated from these plants demonstrated anticancer activity in several in vitro studies [15].…”