In vitro antitumor activity of triterpenes from Ceriops tagal

Abstract

The embryo of Ceriops tagal was extracted with 95% ethanol at room temperature, and four triterpenes (1–4) were separated from this extract. For the first time these triterpenes were the separated from this plant. Compounds (1–4) were tested in vitro for antitumor activity against three cell lines (human liver cancer cell (H-7402), human B-lymphoblastoid cell (Raji), and human cervical carcinoma cell (Hela)). Compounds 1 and 3 were effective to inhibit cell proliferation and growth of H-7402 and Hela, the IC₅₀ of them on H-7402 were 14.42 µg mL⁻¹ and 9.97 µg mL⁻¹, and the IC₅₀ of them on Hela were 11.84 µg mL⁻¹ and 11.32 µg mL⁻¹. All compounds 1–4 were not effective to inhibit cell proliferation and growth of Raji. The effects of compound 4 on inhibiting proliferation and growth of these three cancer cells was also not obvious.

Keywords:

• Ceriops tagal
• Rhizophoraceae
• Antitumor
• Triterpenes

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the project of knowledge innovation program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. KZCX3-SW-216, No. KZCX3-SW-214, and No. KSCX2-SW-132), the national natural science foundation of Guangdong (No. 032622) and the project of knowledge innovation program of South China Sea Institute of Oceanology (No. LYQY200303).