Structural Characterization and Anti-breast Cancer Activity in vitro of a Novel Polysaccharide From Cymbopogon citratus

Abstract

Cymbopogon citratus is an important functional food, widely used for flavoring in Africa and South America. In this study, a novel high-molecular-weight polysaccharide (CCP) from C. citratus was extracted, and its structural characteristics and anti-breast cancer activity in vitro were investigated. CCP contained both α and β configurations and mainly composed of galactose (36.89%), arabinose (23.97%), glucose (18.35%) and rhamnose (9.36%) with an average molecular weight of 1.98 × 106 Da. The main glycosyl residues of CCP detected by methylation analysis were 1,3,6-linked Galp, 1,3-linked Glcp, 1,5-linked Araf , T-Araf , and T-Rhap. In vitro experiments suggested that CCP significantly inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells, decreased the expressions of cyclin D1 and CDK4 and stocked cells at G0/G1 phase. Meanwhile, the typical morphological features of apoptotic cells were also observed. Combining with the consequences of Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, Hoechst 33258 staining and western blot analysis, CCP induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells by triggering the Fas/FasL-mediated death receptor pathway. Overall, these results provide a theoretical basis for the application of C. citratus polysaccharide as a potential anti-breast cancer agent in functional food and medicine.

Ethnopharmacology, chemical composition and functions of Cymbopogon citratus

“…Unlike HWSPs, neither CCP nor CCF contains proteins, while CCP contains less uronic acid. Analysis of the monosaccharide composition by HPLC showed that CCP was composed of glucose, rhamnose, ribose, galactose, arabinose, xylose, and mannose, with a molar ratio of 6.17:5.90:3.40:2.92:2.31:1.63:1.00 ( Bao, Yuan, Wang, Fan, & Lan, 2015 , Chen et al, 2022 ). F1 and F2 are the polysaccharide fractions containing uronic acid.…”

Antiviral, Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Anticancer Activity of Plant Materials Derived from Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf Species

“…This compound induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells by triggering the Fas/FasL-mediated death receptor pathway. Chen et al indicate that the results provide a theoretical basis for the use of C. citratus polysaccharide as a potential anti-breast cancer agent in functional foods and medicine [ 114 ].…”

Targeting mTOR Signaling by Dietary Polysaccharides in Cancer Prevention: Advances and Challenges

“…Moreover, CCPs could induce apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells by promoting the expression of FAS and FASL. 21 Water-soluble polysaccharides extracted from highland barley (BP-1) exhibited significant antiproliferative activity against human colorectal cancer cells HT-29 and induced cancer cell apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner, which were mediated by ROS/JNK and NF-κB pathways. 22 Previous investigations indicated that the structural characteristics of dietary polysaccharides were closely linked to their anticancer properties.…”

“…Cymbopogon citratus polysaccharides (CCPs) could significantly reduce the cell viability of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, CCPs could induce apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells by promoting the expression of FAS and FASL . Water-soluble polysaccharides extracted from highland barley (BP-1) exhibited significant antiproliferative activity against human colorectal cancer cells HT-29 and induced cancer cell apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner, which were mediated by ROS/JNK and NF-κB pathways .…”