In vitro antioxidant activities and anti-proliferative properties of the functional herb Abrus cantoniensis and its main alkaloid abrine

Abstract

Abrus cantoniensis is a common and popular vegetative food consumed as beverage, soup and folk medicine in the tropical and subtropical areas of Asia. It has been claimed valuable for cleansing toxicants in the liver. However, the functional effects of A. cantoniensis have not yet been scientifically explored. This study comprehensively evaluated the in vitro antioxidant and anti-proliferative capacities of the herbal extract and the main alkaloid abrine. Abrine was qualitatively and quantitatively determined in methanol extract (ME) using HPLC-DAD and LC-MS/MS. The results showed that ME, ethyl acetate fraction (EF) and abrine exhibited comparable ABTS radical cation scavenging activities and reducing power to two commercial antioxidants (BHT and Trolox). The EF exerted strong cellular antioxidant activity and selective cytotoxicity against three cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Biological assays revealed that the EF induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M and apoptosis in MCF-7 and Hep3B cells after 48 h of treatment. Thus, A. cantoniensis exerted potent cellular antioxidant and anti-proliferative properties, highlighting why it has been traditionally used as a functional food.

Perfil fitoquímico e atividade antioxidante de flores e frutos de Pereskia aculeata Miller

“…Neste estudo, foi observada a presença de quatro alcaloides: abrina, triptamina, hordenina e mescalina. A abrina e a triptamina possuem atividade adrenérgica [48,49], antioxidante e antiproliferativa [50]. De acordo com De Castro et al (2012) [51] e [52] a espécie P. aculeata Miller também apresentou esses quatro alcaloides na fração hidrometanólica produzida a partir de suas folhas.…”

Polysaccharides From Abrus cantoniensis Hance Modulate Intestinal Microflora and Improve Intestinal Mucosal Barrier and Liver Oxidative Damage Induced by Heat Stress

“…As early as 2005, Wong et al proved the medicinal value of the herb as an anti-hepatitis treatment ( 21 ). The free radical scavenging activity and reducing ability of methanol extract from ACP have been proved by in vitro experiments ( 15 , 22 ). In addition, the in vitro anti-tumor and immunomodulatory capabilities of ACP by in vitro tumor cell lines and lymphocyte proliferation experiments were demonstrated by Wu et al ( 19 ).…”

The Protective Effects of Three Polysaccharides From Abrus cantoniensis Against Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression and Oxidative Damage

“…This native plant has been commonly used as folk herbal medicine for many types of diseases or as a functional food for healthcare for centuries. It is reported that A. cantoniensis is usually used in health care food, soups, herbal tea, or beverages, such as tortoise jelly (Gui Ling-Gao), the red-canned tea “Wong Lo Kat,” and some Chinese patent medicines, such as the well-known “Jigucao capsules.” Extensive studies have indicated that A. cantoniensis possesses the protection against many physical illnesses such as jaundice, hepatitis, cirrhosis with ascites ( 2 ), gastric ulcer ( 3 ), sore throat ( 4 ), rheumatism, blood stasis, and internal injuries ( 5 ), and treatment of wound in vivo ( 6 ).…”