ANTITUMOR ACTIVITY OF SESBANIA VESICARIA, S. PUNICEA, AND S. DRUMMONDII SEED EXTRACTS

Abstract

Screening ethanolic seed extracts for antitumor activity revealed that Sesbania vesicaria, S. puni ce a and S. drummondii are significantly active against lymphocytic leukemia P–388 (PS) in vivo. Approximately, a 100–fold enrichment has been achieved of the active principle(s) of S. vesicaria. The ethanolic extract has been shown to contain sucrose, raffinose, stachyose, several triterpene saponins, sterol glycosides and substantial amounts of phospholipids. Acid hydrolysis of a saponin concentrate revealed oleanolic acid and an unidentified isomer of hederagenin, possibly queretaroic acid. The major sterols are stigmasterol and β–sitosterol. Antitumor activity of S. vesicaria is associated with a minor, as yet unidentified constituent. The isolated saponins are relatively non-toxic and inactive.