Planta Med 2014; 80 - P2O78
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1395068

Chemical constituents and cytotoxic activity from the root of Machilus philippinensis

HY Chang 1, HS Chang 1, 2, SW Wang 3, CH Lin 2, IS Chen 1, 2
  • 1Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaoshiung Medical University, Kaoshiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C.
  • 2School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kaoshiung Medical University, Kaoshiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C.
  • 3Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, Taipei 252, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Machilus philippinensis Merr. (M. arisanensis Hay.; M. acuminatissima (Hay.) Kanehira; Cinnamomum philippinense (Merr.) Chang) (Lauraceae) is a medium-sized evergreen tree, growing in Philippine and southern Taiwan at 500 to 1600 m forest [1]. The methanolic extract of the root of M. philippinensis showed strong cytotoxic activities against TOV-21G-RT (Paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer cells), SK-Hep-1 (Hepatocellular carcinoma), and MG-63 (Osteosarcoma cells) cancer cell lines in vitro. The aim of this study is the isolation of chemical constituents and their cytotoxicities from the root of this plant.

The methanolic extract of the root of M. philippinensis was partitioned with EtOAc and H2O. Ethyl acetate layer showed potent cytotoxic activities against TOV-21G-RT, SK-Hep-1, and PC-3 cancer cell lines. Bioassay-guided fractionation of active ethyl acetate layer of the root from this plant led to the isolation of one new lignan, machiphilinin (1), and four known lignans: meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid (2), saururinone (3), guaiacin (4), and cinnamophilin (5). The structures of these compounds were elucidated by 1-D, 2-D NMR, UV, IR, and mass spectrum. The major component, cinnamophilin (5), exhibited weak cytotoxic activities. Compounds 1 and 2 showed cytotoxic activities with IC50 values of 21.7 and 22.4µM against TOV-21G-RT, 21.8 and 23.9µM against SK-Hep-1, and 22.4 and 24.9µM against PC-3 in SRB assay, and paclitaxel was used as positive control.

Keywords: Machilus philippinensis, Lauraceae, root, cytotoxicity

References:

[1] Li HL. Lauraceae in Flora of Taiwan. Sencond ed; Editorial Committee of the Flora of Taiwan, Taipei, Taiwan, 1996; Vol. II, pp. 481 – 482.