Phytochemical Analysis and Anti-Cancer Properties of Extracts of Centaurea castriferrei Borbás & Waisb Genus of Centaurea L

Abstract

The Centaurea L. (Asteraceae) genus includes many plant species with therapeutic properties. Centaurea castriferrei Borbás & Waisb is one of the least known and least described plants of this genus. The aim of the study was the phytochemical analysis of water and methanol–water extracts (7:3 v/v) obtained from the aerial parts of the plant as well as evaluation of their anticancer activity. Quantitative determinations of phenolic compounds and flavonoids were performed, and the antioxidant potential was measured using the CUPRAC method. The RP-HPLC/DAD analysis and HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS mass spectroscopy were performed, to determine the extracts’ composition. The antiproliferative activity of the obtained extracts was tested in thirteen cancer cell lines and normal skin fibroblasts using MTT test. Regardless of the extraction method and the extractant used, similar cytotoxicity of the extracts on most cancer cell lines was observed. However, the methanol–water extracts (7:3 v/v) contained significantly more phenolic compounds and flavonoids as well as showing stronger antioxidant properties in comparison to water extracts. Centaurea castriferrei Borbás & Waisb is a rich source of apigenin and its derivatives. In all tested extracts, chlorogenic acid and centaurein were also identified. In vitro research revealed that this plant may be a potential source of compounds with anticancer activity.

Cardioprotective Effect of Centaurea castriferrei Borbás & Waisb Extract against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in H9c2 Cells

“…Studies performed by Aktumsek et al indicate that all five tested Centaurea species (inter alia, C kurdica , C. rigida , C. cheirolopha , C. amanicola , and C. ptosimmopappoides ) have strong antioxidant properties, and especially methanol extracts [ 22 ]. Previous research performed by our group revealed that both the tested extracts have antioxidant activity, but it is higher in the case of CAS MeOH [ 16 ]. In order to assess whether the mechanism of abolishing the cardiotoxic effect of DOX by the tested extracts is related to the oxidative stress and antioxidant activities of the extracts, the detection of ROS by the CellROX reagent and the determination of the DNA oxidative damage were performed.…”

“…Based on these experiments, it can be concluded that the decrease in the oxidative stress levels in the tested cells by the C. castriferrei extracts is one of the mechanisms that is responsible for reducing the cardiotoxic effect of DOX. In the previous research, we determined that both CAS H 2 O and CAS MeOH extracts contain many active compounds, including apigenin and its derivative 7-O-glucuronide [ 16 ]. Sahu et al demonstrated the ability of apigenin to suppress doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity via, inter alia, the inhibition of oxidative stress [ 39 ].…”

“…Sahu et al demonstrated the ability of apigenin to suppress doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity via, inter alia, the inhibition of oxidative stress [ 39 ]. Another compound that was present in the tested extracts was chlorogenic acid [ 16 ]. There are many reports on the strong antioxidant properties of this compound [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ].…”

“…Currently, there is a worldwide search for new plant species with anticancer activities that can provide an alternative to the classical chemotherapeutics due to the progressive resistance of cancer cells to the applied treatment [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]. In addition, much research is being conducted in the search for plant substances that have promising protective effects against the organs that are toxic to applied chemotherapy [ 3 ].…”

“…In a recent study carried out by our group, we analyzed the phytochemical, antioxidant, and anticancer properties of the methanol–water (7:3 v / v ) and water extracts of C. castriferrei. All the tested extracts showed antioxidant properties, but higher levels were noted in the case of the methanol–water extracts [ 16 ]. The obtained results indicate the high potential of C. castriferrei extracts to protect cardiomyocytes against the toxic effects of DOX-related oxidative stress.…”