Chemical and Biological Investigation of Ochrosia elliptica Labill. Cultivated in Egypt

Abstract

The phytochemical investigation of Ochrosia eliptica leaves resulted in isolation and identification of eight compounds; lupeol, lupeol acetate, uvaol, ursolic acid, fl—sitosterol glucoside, rutin, 8-methoxy and 9- methoxy ellipticine. The ethanolic extract and fractions were studied for their cytotoxic, antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities. The cytotoxic activity was performed on human mammary adenocarcinoma (MCF7), its multidrug-resistant counterpart (VCREMS), estrogen receptor negative human metastatic breast adenocarcinoma cells (MDA-MB—231) and the non-cancerous, immortalized by telomerase, human breast epithelial cell line (hTERT-HMEl). Additionally, the inhibitory potential on Cdc25s proteins was determined. The results showed that the dichloromethane (DCM) fraction and the major alkaloid; 9-methoxyellipticine exhibited high inhibitory activity against all tested cell lines particularly MCF7 and VCREMS cell lines, whereas the DCM fraction showed significant inhibitory action on Cdc25 isoform. ln contrast, the n-butanol fraction and 9-methoxyellipticine displayed the highest antioxidant potential. The DCM fraction showed significant anti-inflammatory activity compared to indomethacin. This work comprises the first comprehensive work to be conducted on O. elliptica leaves showing its potential in multiple biological activities.