Simultaneous detection of anticancer compounds (Cucurbitacin I, B and E) and some pharmacological properties of Indian Blastania species

Abstract

Cucurbitacins are the predominant tetracyclic tri-terpenoids found in Cucurbitaceae members and possess several biological properties including anticancer. Therefore, the study was aimed at extracting and estimating three anticancer compounds viz. cucurbitacin I (CUI), cucurbitacin B (CUB) and cucurbitacin E (CUE) from two Cucurbitaceae species [Blastania cerasiformis (Stocks) A. Meeuse and Blastania garcinii (Burm.f.) Cogn.]. For this, terpenoid fractions were successfully isolated from the leaves, unripened and ripened fruits of Blastania species and subjected to RP-HPLC analysis of cucurbitacins. The results highlighted the significant yield of CUI and CUB from unripened (1.86±0.02, 3.00±0.04 mg/g DW) and ripened fruits (2.46±0.02, 2.74±0.09 mg/g DW) of B. cerasiformis. Similarly, unripened fruits fraction of B. garcinii reported the presence of high CUI (2.05±0.02 mg/g DW), CUB (1.76±0.03 mg/g DW) and CUE (4.28±0.12 mg/g DW) content. LC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of CUB along with 18 other bioactive compounds from the studied Blastania species. The study was further extended to evaluate the total terpenoid content and pharmacological properties (antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer and antimicrobial) from the isolated terpenoid fractions. The highest terpenoid content was recorded from unripened fruits of B. cerasiformis (1.53±0.00 mg UAE/g DW) followed by B. garcinii (1.52±0.00 mg UAE/g DW). The maximum antioxidant potential was revealed from unripened fruits fractions of both Blastania species through DPPH (0.03±0.00 mg AAE/g DW), FRAP (0.06±0.00 mg Fe(II)/g) and phosphomolybdenum (0.34–0.41±0.00 mg AAE/g DW) assays. The employed antidiabetic assays marked the efficiency of leaves fractions for α-amylase inhibition (52.79±1.40, 47.87±0.63%) and unripened fruits fraction for α-glucosidase inhibition (94.71±0.53, 92.59±2.80%). The significant anticancer activity was recorded from ripened fruits of B. garcinii (IC50 45.04 µg/mL) and B. cerasiformis (IC50 156.00 µg/mL). In addition, isolated fractions exhibited maximum antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (2–6 mm), Bacillus cereus (2–3 mm) and Bacillus subtilis (2–3.3 mm) when compared with other tested pathogens. The principal component analysis revealed the impact of high terpenoid content on significant antioxidant, antidiabetic and anticancer activities of fruits. Present investigation highlighted the medicinal potential of Blastania species against cancer, diabetes, oxidative stress and human pathogen related diseases.