Cytotoxic activity of 9,10-dihydro-2,5-dimethoxyphenanthrene-1,7-diol from Eulophia nuda against human cancer cells.

Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:

Eulophia nuda L. (Orchidaceae) is a medicinally important terrestrial orchid used for the treatment of tumours and various health problems by the local healers throughout the Western Ghats region in Maharashtra (India).

AIM OF THE STUDY:

To isolate the active molecule from Eulophia nuda and to study its cytotoxic potential against human cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The crude methanolic extract of Eulophia nuda tubers was fractionated by stepwise gradient of the solvents-chloroform-methanol to isolate the pure compound. Isolated pure compound was assessed for its cytotoxic potential against human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 using MTT assay. Structure elucidation of the isolated active compound was carried out by extensive spectroscopic analysis including (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, NOESY, COSY, LC-MS and IR.

RESULTS:

The isolated active molecule was identified as phenanthrene derivative 9,10-dihydro-2,5-dimethoxyphenanthrene-1,7-diol. This compound showed good antiproliferative activity against human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 (91%) and MDA-MB-231 (85%) at 1000 microg/ml concentration.

CONCLUSION:

9,10-Dihydro-2,5-dimethoxyphenanthrene-1,7-diol from Eulophia nuda tubers showed good growth suppressive effect against human cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 making it a potential biomolecule against human cancer.

• Authors: Varsha Shriram, Vinay Kumar, P B Kavi Kishor, Sharad B Suryawanshi, Ankur K Upadhyay, Manoj K Bhat
• Journal: Journal of ethnopharmacology (J Ethnopharmacol) Vol. 128 Issue 1 Pg. 251-3 (Mar 02 2010) ISSN: 1872-7573 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 20045453 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• 9,10-dihydro-2,5-dimethoxyphenanthrene-1,7-diol
• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
• Phenanthrenes
• Plant Extracts

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
• Humans
• Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
• Molecular Structure
• Orchidaceae (chemistry)
• Phenanthrenes (pharmacology)
• Plant Extracts (chemistry, pharmacology)