Biological Investigation of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloid Extracts from the Bulbs of Pancratium trianthum Collected in the Senegalese Flora

Abstract

Amaryllidaceae plants are rich in alkaloids with biological properties. Pancratium trianthum is an Amaryllidaceae species widely used in African folk medicine to treat several diseases such as central nervous system disorders, tumors, and microbial infections, and it is used to heal wounds. The current investigation explored the biological properties of alkaloid extracts from bulbs of P. trianthum collected in the Senegalese flora. Alkaloid extracts were analyzed and identified by chromatography and mass spectrometry. Alkaloid extracts from P. trianthum displayed pleiotropic biological properties. Cytotoxic activity of the extracts was determined on hepatocarcinoma Huh7 cells and on acute monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells, while agar diffusion and microdilution assays were used to evaluate antibacterial activity. Antiviral activity was measured by infection of extract-treated cells with dengue virus (DENVGFP) and human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1GFP) reporter vectors. Cytotoxicity and viral inhibition were the most striking of P. trianthum’s extract activities. Importantly, non-cytotoxic concentrations were highly effective in completely preventing DENVGFP replication and in reducing pseudotyped HIV-1GFP infection levels. Our results show that P. trianthum is a rich source of molecules for the potential discovery of new treatments against various diseases. Herein, we provide scientific evidence to rationalize the traditional uses of P. trianthum for wound treatment as an anti-dermatosis and antiseptic agent.

Antiviral Effects of the Plant Family Amaryllidaceae

“…61 At its EC 50 (0.17 µg/mL) dose, the viability of host cells was 65% that of the control standard NITD008. 61 Trisphaeridine ( 6 ) has been identified among the various constituents of Pancratium trianthum and prior shown to have a moderate effect on HIV-1 infectivity of MT-4 cells (ID 50 5.0 µg/mL, respectively). 62…”

“…was screened for effects against HIV-1. 61 Its dried bulb MeOH extract dose-dependently (0.09-3.125 µg/mL) inhibited viral proliferation of THP-1 monocytes, whereby weakly cytotoxic concentrations of 0.09 and 0.19 µg/mL significantly reduced infectivity by 28% and 52%, respectively. 61 At its EC 50 (0.17 µg/mL) dose, the viability of host cells was 65% that of the control standard NITD008.…”

“…61 Its dried bulb MeOH extract dose-dependently (0.09-3.125 µg/mL) inhibited viral proliferation of THP-1 monocytes, whereby weakly cytotoxic concentrations of 0.09 and 0.19 µg/mL significantly reduced infectivity by 28% and 52%, respectively. 61 At its EC 50 (0.17 µg/mL) dose, the viability of host cells was 65% that of the control standard NITD008. 61 Trisphaeridine ( 6 ) has been identified among the various constituents of Pancratium trianthum and prior shown to have a moderate effect on HIV-1 infectivity of MT-4 cells (ID 50 5.0 µg/mL, respectively).…”

“…50 In addition to its potent inhibition of HIV-1 proliferation in THP-1 cells (EC 50 0.17 µg/mL), the MeOH bulb extract of Pancratium trianthum was noted for its even more powerful effect on Dengue virus (EC 50 0.029 µg/mL). 61 It dose-dependently inhibited viral multiplication in Huh-7 cells at concentrations that ranged from 0.019 to 2.5 µg/mL. 61 As shown by microscopy or flow cytometry, no infected cells were detected at concentrations exceeding 0.078 µg/mL.…”

“…61 It dose-dependently inhibited viral multiplication in Huh-7 cells at concentrations that ranged from 0.019 to 2.5 µg/mL. 61 As shown by microscopy or flow cytometry, no infected cells were detected at concentrations exceeding 0.078 µg/mL. 61 Even at the lowest tested dose (0.019 µg/mL), there was only a 20% reduction in infectivity relative to untreated controls.…”