Potential anti-proliferative effects of chemical constituents and hemisynthetic derivatives from Scadoxus pseudocaulus (Amarillydaceae).

BACKGROUND: Biological significance of Amaryllidaceae is well advocated from the literature. In Cameroon, plants from this family are routinely used for the cure of liver, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. To date, no scientific investigation corresponding to the anti-cancer activity of extracts and isolated compounds of Scadoxus pseudocaulus is available. OBJECTIVE: Current study is focused to elaborate the anti-proliferative effects of natural isolates (compounds 1-6, 9) and hemi-synthetic analogs (compounds 7-8) extracted from S. pseudocaulu. METHODS: Column chromatography of the ethyl acetate extract followed by purification of different fractions led to the isolation of seven compounds (1 - 6, 9). Esterification reaction of compound 6 was carried out using butyroyl chlorides and triethylamin to produce two derivatives (7 - 8). The cytotoxic activity was performed after staining of treated cells with florescent dye propidium iodide. Dead cells were detected using cytometer FL2 or FL3 channels/filters. RESULTS: Trans-derivative of narciclasine (a natural isolate from S. pseudocaulus), was found to be most potent among all tested compounds. Its effects were more significant on low malignant follicular lymphoma (DoHH2 cells) as compared to highly malignant (EBV infected) Burkitts lymphoma (Raji cells). CONCLUSION: From our results, narciclasine appears to hold the potential of a lead molecule that can be used to bridge the therapeutic gaps in cancer research.

DNA physical interaction mediated b-lymphoma treatment offered by tetra benzimidazole-substituted zinc (ii) phthalocyanine derivative.

Role of heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen substitution in therapeutic frontiers is well established. The efforts made in this study are directed to dissect the biological significance of benzimidazole-substituted zinc phthalocyanine derivative. Its capacity to act as an anticancer agent against the 2 B-lymphoma cell lines (low-grade and high-grade malignancy) was found out by recording florescence using Alamar blue dye. Further cytotoxic effect at the DNA level was analyzed by performing agarose gel electrophoresis. Molecular docking studies made mechanistic details crystal clear by showing potential dual binding modes employed for interaction with DNA that include minor groove binding and intercalation between bases. This advocates this derivative as potential anticancer agent and deserves further rounds of mechanistic study for its final journey to serve as a marketed drug.