Production of saponins from in vitro cultures of Astragalus glycyphyllos and their antineoplastic activity

Abstract

In the last decade the need of plant-derived cytotoxic compounds exceeds the possibilities for obtaining them from naturally grown sources. In vitro plant biotechnology offers a unique and often invaluable alternative for production of complex biologically active substances without harming the flora. Astragalus glycyphyllos L. (Fabaceae) is a plant native to Bulgaria that has been reported to contain triterpenoid saponins and flavonoids. It is used in folk medicine as an antihypertensive, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, laxative, expectorant agent, etc. The aim was to study the saponin content of A. glycyphyllos cultures grown in vitro and their antiproliferative activity. Three types of cultures were developed: callus, shoot and suspension cultures. Murashige and Skoog's, as well as other media, supplemented with various concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators and different photoperiods were used. In all cultures the saponin content was determined by a novel liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method. Compared to the wild grown species, in vitro shoot cultures accumulated double the amount of the main saponin (225.00 ng/mg dw) found in the plant. Saponin-rich fractions obtained from shoot cultures were tested for cytotoxicity in a panel of various malignant human cells and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50) values were determined. Interestingly, the saponin-rich fractions showed higher efficacy against urinary bladder cancer cells with constitutive high expression level of the xenobiotic pump gp170 (MDR1). In vitro cultures of A. glycyphyllos could serve as an alternative way for production of saponins, with promising antineoplastic activity, which deserves further detailed characterization.

Effect of a Total Extract and Saponins from Astragalus glycyphyllos L. on Human Coronavirus Replication In Vitro

“…In DEAG, the main saponin (S1) was further used for the quantitative analytical marker. The quantitative analysis established that DEAG contained 3.12% total saponins, expressed as S1 [23]. The assay of PSM showed that it had 50.52% total saponins as the same marker [23].…”

Induction of flavonoid biosynthesis by in vitro cultivation of Astragalus glycyphyllos L.

“…For the individual analysis of rutin and camelliaside a method, previously described (Shkondrov et al 2019) was applied. The total flavonoid content was determined by a gradient elution: 0 to 3 min 83% (A), 3 to 7 min 80% (A), 7 to 10 min 70% (A), 10 to 20 min 50% (A), 20 to 25 min 40% (A), 25 to 28 min 30% (A), 30 to 35 min 0% (A), 35 to 38 min 90% (A).…”

“…For the purpose of the analysis, those samples were diluted in 80% methanol to reach concentration of 500 µg/mL. The extraction of the plant material for individual quantitation of rutin and camelliaside A was performed as reported before (Shkondrov et al 2019). The extracts were kept at -18 °C, before the LC-HRESIMS analysis.…”

“…Astragalus glycyphyllos L. (Fabaceae) is a perennial, herbaceous plant, native to Europe and extensively used in Bulgarian folk medicine (Shkondrov et al 2019). The traditional therapeutic significance of A. glycyphyllos in a decoction form has been described: emollient and diuretic activities, in cases of gastroenteritis and hypertension; in urolithiasis, oliguria, scrofula, dermatitis, as a laxative, as an expectorant in acute respiratory diseases;…”

Fabrication and Characterization of a Three-Dimensional Fibrin Gel Model to Evaluate Anti-Proliferative Effects of Astragalus hamosus Plant Extract on Breast Cancer Cells

“…Since anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents damage normal cells, significant efforts have been made recently to identify natural compounds and related synthetic agents to prevent the development and recurrence of cancers (Greenwell and Rahman, 2015). Medicinal plants have been discovered and used in traditional medicine practices (Ahn, 2017), and remain as the basis of modern medicine (Shkondrov et al, 2019;Berezutskii et al, 2020;Borah and Banik, 2020;Darvishi et al, 2020). Numerous phytochemicals with potential or established biological activity have been identified (Ahn, 2017), and several anti-cancer chemotherapeutic drugs have been identified and isolated from medicinal plants (Borah and Banik, 2020).…”