Two new 13,14:14,15-disecopregnane-type compounds from the roots of Cynanchum paniculatum

Effects of Water Extract of Cynanchum paniculatum (Bge.) Kitag. on Different Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Cynanchum paniculatum (Bge.) Kitag. (CP) is an important medicinal herb used in Chinese herbal medicine, with a variety of biological activities including anticancer property. In this study, we explored the water extract of CP, for its anticancer effects against breast cancer cells with different mutation types. Cells were grouped as untreated (Control); CP direct treatment (dir-CP); Conditioned medium from CP treated (sup-CP), and untreated cells (sup-Control). Effects of dir-CP and sup-CP were compared to corresponding untreated cells on cytotoxicity, cell migration, and protein expression (cleaved caspase-3, caspase-9, and MMP-2 and 9). CP treatment showed time-dependent decrease in cell number of MDA-MB-231 and SK-Br-3 (both ER(−) PR(−)), while the decrease in cell number was not as significant in MCF-7 and ZR-75-1 cells (both ER(+) PR(+)). sup-CP treatment inhibited the cell migration of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 (Her2(−)) in a 24 h scratch assay. Our data suggested that ER(−) PR(−) cells are more sensitive to the CP in terms of direct cytotoxicity, which is not regulated by caspase-3. CP inhibited the migration of the two Her2(−) cells, and this correlated with MMP-2 regulation. The migration of ER(−) PR(−) cells was more sensitive to conditioned medium with CP treatment than to direct CP, and this is not regulated by MMP-2. Our data suggested that CP has anticancer potential on various breast cancer cells through different mechanisms and is specifically effective in inhibiting the migration of the triple negative MDA-MB-231. Our data provide insight into the mechanism of CP against breast cancer progression and would benefit the medical practitioners in better management with CP usage.

Cynanchum paniculatum (Bunge) Kitag. ex H. Hara: A review of its ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cynanchum paniculatum (Bunge) Kitag. ex H. Hara (C. paniculatum), is a broadly used traditional medicinal plant by East Asians. The roots and rhizomes of this herb were named 'Xu-Chang-Qing' since the Qin or Han Dynasty (B.C.221-220) in China. It is pungent and warm in nature and associated with the liver and stomach meridians. Moreover, the efficacy of this herb are dispelling wind, resolving dampness, relieving pain and itching. It is used for treating the onset of rheumatic arthralgia, stomachache, toothache, lumbago, soft tissue injury, rubella and eczema.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic review about the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of C. paniculatum on the strength of the studies in the past two decades.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comprehensive search on previous literature was conducted on databases such as Web of Science, Pubmed, Sciencedirect, American Chemical Society (ACS), Google scholar and China national knowledge internet (CNKI). The search was based on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of C. paniculatum. The key search words were 'Cynanchum paniculatum' and 'Radix Cynanchi Paniculati'. In addition, some published books were searched for more information on the herb.

RESULTS

Over 150 compounds have been isolated and identified from C. paniculatum, including C₂₁ steroids, volatile oils, carbohydrates and phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids. Extensive pharmacological activities of the extracts or compounds of C. paniculatum in vivo and in vitro were confirmed including anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, sedative antiviral, antitumor, neuroprotective, treating snake bites, immunomodulatory, anti-radiation, vasodilatory, acaricidal potentials and anti-adipogenic activities.

CONCLUSIONS

In this paper, the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of C. paniculatum were reviewed. This herb has long been used as traditional medicine. It was reported with numerous chemical ingredients and various pharmacological activities with anti-inflammatory, antitumor, neuroprotection, etc. In the future, C. paniculatum still needs further study, such as identifying the active compounds, clarifying the pharmacological mechanisms, discussing quality and safety.

Two new C21 steroidal glycosides isolated from Cynanchum komarovii

The present study was designed to further investigate the C₂₁ steroidal glycosides in Cynanchum plants. Two new steroidal glycosides based on a 13, 14:14, 15-disecopregnane-type aglycone, komaroside P (1) and komaroside Q (2), together with three known compounds (3-5) were isolated from the whole herbs of Cynanchum komarovii. The aglycones of compounds 1 and 2 were two new disecopregnane. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D, 2D NMR spectroscopic data and acid hydrolysis. All the compounds (1-5) showed potent inhibitory activities against human leukemia cell lines (HL-60) with IC₅₀ values ranging from 16.6 to 26.3 μmol·L^-1, compared to the positive control 5-fluorouracil (6.4 μmol·L^-1).