Abstract
Purpose: To determine the phenolic constituents as well as anti-proliferative, antioxidant and ironchelating activities of the leaf and rhizome extracts of Phymatopteris triloba. Methods: Concentrations of selected hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonoids in aqueous extracts were quantified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antiproliferative activity was assessed on human cervix cancer cell line (HeLa) and human chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line (K562). Superoxide and nitric oxide scavenging activities as well as iron-chelating activity were determined colorimetrically. Results: Protocatechuic acid content of the rhizome extract (154.7 g/g dry matter (DM)) was 1.9-fold higher than in the leaf extract. p-Hydroxybenzoic acid (34.6 g/g DM) and gallic acid (18.9 g/g DM), were only detected in the rhizome extract. Sinapic acid (6.6 g/g DM) was detected in the leaf extract only. Myricetin content of leaf extract (98.5 g/g DM) was 3.7-fold higher compared with the rhizome extract. At 500 g DM/ml, both extracts produced about 40 and 30 % anti-proliferative activity on HeLa cells and K562 cells, respectively. Both extracts had moderate nitric oxide-scavenging and ironchelating activities. The leaf extract half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) value of 0.85 mg/ml (scavenging of superoxide radicals) was higher than that of ascorbic acid. Conclusion: P. triloba is a potential source of anti-proliferative, antioxidant and iron-chelating agents. Its bioactivities may be attributed to the presence of phenolic constituents.
Highlights
Fern species growing at high altitudes have attracted little attention in bioprospecting research aimed at discovering novel plantderived drugs
The phenolic compounds in the extracts were identified by comparing the retention times of their peaks in the chromatograms with those of pure commercial standards
Sinapic acid was detected in the leaf extract but not in rhizome extract
Summary
Fern species growing at high altitudes have attracted little attention in bioprospecting research aimed at discovering novel plantderived drugs. Highland ferns may be a rich source of bioactive natural products, evidence substantiating this proposal is still limited. The genus Phymatopteris is understudied with regards to its bioactive potential. At least two members of the genus Phymatopteris are used in traditional medicine. Is used as a traditional remedy in China for diarrhea, bronchitis, influenza, and other diseases [2]. Is used in Nepal as a traditional treatment for musculo-skeletal problems and dermatological infections [4]. The therapeutic properties of related species P. hastata and P. quasidivaricata suggest that P. triloba may have therapeutically relevant bioactivities
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