Biological Activities and Phenolic Compound Content of Astilboides tabularis (Hemsl.) Engler Extracts

Abstract

The plant, Astilboides tabularis (Hemsl.) Engler, is used in Chinese and Korean medicine to regulate blood sugar levels; however, little is known about its precise effects. In this study, we aimed to measure the composition as well as the antioxidant, and anti-proliferative capacities of A. tabularis. Various extracts were generated using different organic solvents, and in vitro antioxidant activities were evaluated using DPPH free radical-scavenging and reducing power assays. The extracts were also evaluated based on their ability to inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells. Research shows that the A. tabularis ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract showed significant antioxidant activity. Additionally, this extract could inhibit the LPS-induced expression of inflammatory mediators and pro-inflammatory cytokines in RAW 264.7 cells, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß). Notably, the A. tabularis EtOAc extract also displayed potent cytotoxic effects against MCF-7 and HeLa cancer cell lines, as determined by MTT assays. Lastly, total phenol and flavonoid content was measured for all extracts, and four flavonoid compounds-catechin, kaempferol, quercitrin, and isoquercetin were isolated from the EtOAc extract. Their structures were confirmed using mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, and these isolated compounds were found to display potent DPPH free radical-scavenging activity. Thus, our data suggest that phenolic compounds in A. tabularis extracts promote antioxidant activity, and furthermore, these extracts display numerous features that suggest potential for therapeutic development.

First report of complete chloroplast genome sequence of monotypic genusAstilboides(Saxifragaceae) in North East Asia

“…In South Korea, A. tabularis was designated as an endangered and rare species and protected by multiple laws, such as Wildlife Protection and Management Act by the Ministry of Environment and Act on the Creation and Furtherance of Arboretums and Gardens by the Korea Forest Service (Lee 2009;Kim 2014). Furthermore, A. tabularis is an economically important plant resource as an edible and medicinal plant (Chang et al 2005;Yang et al 2020). In addition, its gigantic leaf and inflorescence have horticultural and ornamental values (Cho et al 2016).…”