Abstract
Backround: Ajuga species have been used in traditional medicine for their diuretic, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and hepatoprotective properties.Purpose: The phytochemical profile and anticancer potential of three Ajuga sp. (A. genevensis, A. chamaepitys, and A. laxmannii) from Romania was investigated.Materials and Methods: The phytochemicals were extracted from the aerial parts of Ajuga sp. by using different solvents and methods. The hydroalcoholic extracts were examined for total phenolic, flavonoid and iridoid contents, and HPLC/MS was used to analyze the polyphenolic compounds and iridoids. The phytochemical profile was also evaluated by principal component analysis in connection with antitumor efficacy of extracts. The antiproliferative potential was evaluated using the ELISA BrdU-colorimetric immunoassay. Western Blot with regard to inflammatory protein NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) p65 subunit expression in cell lysates was performed. Quantification of oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant capability was assessed by measuring catalase activity and by evaluating the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of treated cells.Results: Ajuga laxmannii ethanol extract showed the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content, while A. genevensis ethanol extract was more abundant in iridoids. The overall cytostatic effect of the investigated plant extracts was exerted through strong inhibitory actions on NF-κB, the key molecule involved in the inflammatory response and via oxidative stress modulatory effects in both murine colon carcinoma and melanoma cell lines.Conclusion: Ajuga laxmannii showed the most significant antitumor activity and represents an important source of bioactive compounds, possibly an additional form of treatment alongside conventional anticancer drugs.
Highlights
Medicinal plants have always been an important source for various pharmaceuticals since ancient times
The overall cytostatic effect of the investigated plant extracts was exerted through strong inhibitory actions on nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), the key molecule involved in the inflammatory response and via oxidative stress modulatory effects in both murine colon carcinoma and melanoma cell lines
The values for total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were higher in EEAL extracts, followed by EEAC, whereas EEAG extract was more abundant in iridoids
Summary
Medicinal plants have always been an important source for various pharmaceuticals since ancient times. The research on unexplored medicinal plants traditionally used in folk medicine could determine the development of novel herbal formulations with significant biological activities. Due to their important pharmacological effects, the natural compounds are effectively used to obtain new phytomedicines. Ajuga species (Lamiaceae), which are widely distributed in many parts of the world (Atay et al, 2016) present significant medicinal importance, confirmed by the large number of constitutive compounds with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cytotoxic, analgesic, or antibacterial activity (Israili and Lyoussi, 2009; Toiu et al, 2018). Our previous research showed the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects of aerial parts extracts (Toiu et al, 2018). The monoterpene glycosides content and the essential oil composition have been recently studied on species from Italy, together with the evaluation of antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity by MTT assay (Venditti et al, 2016)
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