Study of cytotoxic activity, podophyllotoxin, and deoxypodophyllotoxin content in selected Juniperus species cultivated in Poland

摘要

Context: The demand for podophyllotoxin and deoxypodophyllotoxin is still increasing and commercially exploitable sources are few and one of them, Podophyllum hexandrum Royle (Berberidaceae), is a “critically endangered” species.Objective: The first aim was to quantify the amount of podophyllotoxin and deoxypodophyllotoxin in 61 Juniperus (Cupressaceae) samples. Cytotoxic activity of podophyllotoxin and ethanolic leaf extracts of Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. “Blue Pacific” and Juniperus communis L. “Depressa Aurea” was examined against different leukemia cell lines.Materials and methods: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) analysis was performed with the use of a Waters ACQUITY UPLCTM system (Waters Corp., Milford, MA). The peaks of podophyllotoxin and deoxypodophyllotoxin were assigned on the basis of their retention data and mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). Trypan blue assay was performed to obtain IC₅₀ cytotoxicity values against selected leukemia cell lines.Results: Juniperus scopulorum was characterized with the highest level of podophyllotoxin (486.7?mg/100?g DW) while Juniperus davurica Pall. contained the highest amount of deoxypodophyllotoxin (726.8?mg/100?g DW). Podophyllotoxin IC₅₀ cytotoxicity values against J45.01 and CEM/C1 leukemia cell lines were 0.0040 and 0.0286?μg/mL, respectively. Juniperus scopulorum extract examined against J45.01 and HL-60/MX2 leukemia cell lines gave the respective IC₅₀ values: 0.369–9.225?μg/mL. Juniperus communis extract was characterized with the following IC₅₀ cytotoxity values against J45.01 and U-266B1 cell lines: 3.310–24.825?μg/mL.Conclusions: Juniperus sp. can be considered as an alternative source of podophyllotoxin and deoxypodophyllotoxin. Cytotoxic activity of podophyllotoxin and selected leaf extracts of Juniperus sp. against a set of leukemia cell lines was demonstrated.