Cytotoxic cardenolides from cheiranthus cheiri L. flowers

The ethanolic extract of the flowers of the Egyptian species of Cheiranthus cheiri L. [Cruciferae] showed significant cytotoxicity against 2 different cancer cell lines. Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of 2 cardenolides, strophanthidin 1, and helveticoside 2, where the latter demonstrated potent activity against 6 cell lines tested, especially A-549 [human lung carcinoma]. This study was the first report for the isolation of cardenolides from the flower of Cheiranthus cheiri L. and the first report for cytotoxicity of helveticoside