Ellagitannins and simple phenolics from the halophytic plant Tamarix nilotica

Abstract

Three new [nilotinins M8‒M10 (1‒3)] and two known [tamarixinin A (4) and gemin D (5)] ellagitannins and seven simple phenolics [gallic acid (6), methyl gallate (7), 3,4-di-O-methylgallic acid (8), ellagic acid (9), 3-O-methylellagic acid (10), methyl ferulate 3-O-sulphate (11), and 7,4′-di-O-methylkaempferol (12)] were isolated from the halophytic plant Tamarix nilotica (Ehrenb.) Bunge (Tamaricaceae). Their structures were determined based on intensive spectroscopic studies and comparisons with reported data. Compounds 4, and 6–8 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) and anti-leishmanial activity against Leishmania major. Compounds 4, 6 and 7 showed promising cytotoxic properties against A549 (IC₅₀ 29 ± 2.3, 10.5 ± 0.7, and 20.7 ± 1.9 μg/mL), while compounds 4 and 7 showed higher growth-inhibitory effects against L. major promastigotes (IC₅₀ 40.5 ± 2.7 and 38.4 ± 2.5 μg/mL), as compared with the standards doxorubicin (IC₅₀ 0.42 µg/mL) and miltefosine (IC₅₀ 9.43 μg/mL), respectively.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Tamaricaceae
• Tamarix nilotica
• tannins
• phenolics
• cytotoxicity
• A549
• leishmania major

Acknowledgments

We are indebted to Dr. Morio Yoshimura and Dr. Yoshiaki Amakura, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Matsuyama University, Japan, for the mass measurements.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this work was provided by the deanship of scientific research, Najran University; Project Code [NU/MID/16/040].