Preliminary studies of the chemical composition and cytotoxic activity of Hottonia palustris herb

Hottonia palustris L. (Primulaceae) (syn.: featherfoil, water violet, Wasserprimel) is a relatively undemanding semi-aquatic plant, widely distributed throughout lowlands of Western Europe and northern Asia. Up to date little is known about the chemical composition and pharmacological activity of aerial parts of H. palustris. It has been used in folk medicine for treating diseases, including heart problems [1]. The aim of our work was a preliminary assessment of the chemical composition by LC/MS technique and the cytotoxic potential of an alcoholic extract from above-ground parts of this plant. The cytotoxic activity was evaluated using human cancer cell lines: MDA-MB-231 cells, HeLa, endometrial cancer cells Ishikawa, colorectal cancer DLD-1 cells and normal skin fibroblasts CCD-25Sk. The examination of the phytochemical profile of the alcoholic extract revealed the presence of rare methoxy derivatives of flavones and triterpenes as major constituents. MTT colorimetric assay was conducted to determine cell viability. Data show that the extract exerts concentration-dependent inhibition of cell viability. The MDA-MB-231 and HeLa cell lines were the most sensitive to the extract at each concentration. MDA-MB-231 cells showed 67%, 52%, 23% cell viability, and HeLa cells 74%, 61%, 16% viability of control cells after incubation with extract at 30, 100 and 300 μg/mL, respectively. However, inhibition of cell viability in fibroblast was similar or higher compared to cancer cells. Further studies of the chemical composition and biological assays are in progress.

• References

• 1 Santhanam R, Rajabalaya R, Ramasamy S. Freshwater phytopharmaceutical compounds. 1st. edition. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2014: 201