Characterization of glycosidic triterpenoids of Scilla litardierei and investigation of its potential cytotoxic effects

Scilla litardierei Breistr. (syn. Chouardia litardierei Speta) (Hyacinthaceae) is a bulbous geophyte, which is part of the original flora of southeast Europe and the Balkans. In this study the separation and purification of saponin-rich fractions obtained by partition of bulbous extracts from S. litardierei was carried out. The glycosidic natural products were elucidated by chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. Pure substances were gained by purification using preparative HPLC. Sugar moieties were identified after hydrolysation and derivatisation by gas chromatography. Several triterpenoids, which differ in the aglycons, were detected. African green monkey kidney cells (COS-7) and human embryonal kidney (HEK-293) cells were treated with isolated triterpenoids. In order to elucidate possible antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of this substances the commonly used MTT assay was utilized.

Keywords: Scilla litardierei, Glycosidic saponins, Hyacinthaceae, Triterpenoids

References: 1. Müller B and Klar F (2010) Planta Med 76: 1254.