Major Phytochemical as γ-Sitosterol Disclosing and Toxicity Testing in Lagerstroemia Species

Prapaparn Sirikhansaeng,Arunrat Chaveerach,Runglawan Sudmoon,Tawatchai Tanee

doi:10.1155/2017/7209851

Abstract

Medicinal plants in genus Lagerstroemia were investigated for phytochemical contents by GC-MS and HPLC with ethanol and hexane extracts and their toxicity MTT and comet assay on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). γ-Sitosterol is the major component found in all species at 14.70–34.44%. All of the extracts, except for L. speciosa ethanol extract, showed high percentages of cell viability. The IC50 value, 0.24 mg/mL, of ethanol L. speciosa extract predicted an LD50 of 811.78 mg/kg, which belongs to WHO Class III of toxic chemicals. However, in-depth toxicity evaluation by the comet assay showed that the four tested species induced significant (p < 0.05) DNA damage in PBMCs. γ-Sitosterol was previously reported to possess antihyperglycemic activity by increasing insulin secretion in response to glucose. Nonetheless, consumers should consider its toxicity, and the amount of consumption should be of concern.

Highlights

Lagerstroemia species, including L. speciosa, L. loudonii, L. indica, L. villosa, and L. floribunda, were used worldwide as medicinal and ornamental plants
Current knowledge on the phytochemicals and pharmacology of L. speciosa has regarded it as a natural antidiabetes product, whose leaves contained triterpenes, tannins, ellagic acids, glycosides, and flavones [9]
Analysis of the plant extract component by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) concentrated on corosolic acid findings, and the results showed no detection with hexane in L. speciosa and L. loudonii and a very small amount in the other studied species (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Lagerstroemia species, including L. speciosa, L. loudonii, L. indica, L. villosa, and L. floribunda, were used worldwide as medicinal and ornamental plants. L. indica extract has been used for treating allergic diseases such as asthma due to its anti-inflammatory properties [1, 2], analgesic, antihyperglycemic, and antioxidant hepatoprotective effects [1], and antidiabetic activity by its containing corosolic acid [3]. L. speciosa and L. loudonii have been reported for their chemical constituents [4, 5]. L. speciosa leaf extract containing corosolic acid as an active compound has been reported for diabetes treatment [6, 7]. The hypoglycemic effects of L. speciosa have been attributed to both corosolic acid and ellagitannins [8]. Current knowledge on the phytochemicals and pharmacology of L. speciosa has regarded it as a natural antidiabetes product, whose leaves contained triterpenes, tannins, ellagic acids, glycosides, and flavones [9]

Methods

Results

Conclusion