Cytotoxicity of alkaloids isolated from Argemone mexicana on SW480 human colon cancer cell line

摘要

Context: Argemone mexicana Linn. (Papaveraceae) has been used as traditional medicine in India and Taiwan for the treatment of skin diseases, inflammations, bilious, fever, etc. Some alkaloids of A. mexicana have been screened for their cytotoxicity on different cancer cell lines.Objective: The study investigates potential cytotoxic effects of alkaloids isolated from aerial part of A. mexicana on SW480 human colon cancer cell line.Materials and methods: Six alkaloids, 13-oxoprotopine, protomexicine, 8-methoxydihydrosanguinarine, dehydrocorydalmine, jatrorrhizine, and 8-oxyberberine were isolated from the methanol extract of A. mexicana. Cytotoxicity of these alkaloids was studied on SW480 human colon cancer cell line at 1, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, and 200 mu g/mL for 24 and 48h. Cells were seeded in a 96-well micro-plate at a concentration of 2x10(4) cells per well and MTS assay was performed to assess cytotoxicity in terms of cell viability.Results: At 200 mu g/mL, protomexicine and 13-oxoprotopine showed mild cytotoxicity (approximate to 24-28%) whereas dehydrocorydalmine exhibited moderate cytotoxicity (approximate to 48%). 8-Oxyberberine was mildly cytotoxic (approximate to 27%) at 24h but was more potent (approximate to 76%) at 48h. Jatrorrhizine and 8-methoxydihydrosanguinarine were most potent (approximate to 95-100%) in inhibiting the human colon cancer cell proliferation showing complete reduction in cell viability.Discussion and conclusion: This is the first study on the effect of these alkaloids on SW480 human colon cancer cell line. This study indicates that some alkaloids of A. mexicana strongly inhibit the cell proliferation in human colon cancer cells, and it might be a basis for future development of a potent chemotherapeutic drug.