Phytoecdysteroids of Silene guntensis and their in vitro cytotoxic and antioxidant activity

Abstract

Phytoecdysteroids from aerial parts of Silene guntensis B. Fedtsch were investigated and three phytoecdysteroids were isolated: 2,3-diacetate-22-benzoate-20-hydroxyecdysone (1), 2-deoxy-20-hydroxyecdysone (2), and 20-hydroxyecdysone (3). Their chemical structures were elucidated by DEPT, COSY, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The isolated compounds 1 - 3 and crude extracts were evaluated for their antiproliferative and antioxidant activities. They exhibited substantial inhibition of cell growth against human cervix adenocarcinoma (HeLa), hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2), and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells. The chloroform extract showed potent cytotoxic effects [IC50 values (26.58 ± 1.88) μg/mL, (20.99 ± 1.64) μg/mL, and (18.89 ± 2.36) μg/mL, respectively]. The new compound 1 was mildly cytotoxic compared to extracts [(127.97 ± 11.34), (106.76 ± 7.81), and (203.10 ± 19.56) μg/mL, respectively]. Water and n-butanol extracts exhibited good antioxidant activities [IC50 values of (68.90 ± 6.45) μg/mL and (69.12 ± 5.85) μg/mL, respectively]. © 2011 Verlag der Zeitschrift für Naturforschung, T̈bingen.