AIM: To evaluate the chemical profiles and cytotoxic effects among the total saponin fraction(TSF), 25% ethanol fraction(25EF), 50% ethanol fraction(50EF), and 85% ethanol fraction(85EF) prepared by macroporous resin from the leaves of Panax notoginseng. METHOD: The simultaneous determination of thirteen main saponins, as well as the chemical profiles of saponin fractions of different polarity, was made by HPLC-DAD and LC-ESI-MSn analysis. The cytotoxic effects were determined against KP4 cells(human pancreatic cancer), NCI-H727 cells(human lung cancer), HepG2 cells(human hepatocellular cancer), and SGC-7901 cells(human gastric adenocarcinoma). RESULTS: Chemical analysis indicated that 85EF possessed the most abundant cytotoxic protopanaxadiol saponins, including the marker saponins F2, 20(R)-Rg3, 20(S)-Rg3, and Rh2. The MTT assay showed that 85EF also had the strongest cytotoxic effects among the four fractions. 25EF showed no anti-proliferative effects, while 50EF and TSF exhibited weak anti-proliferative activity. CONCLUSION: From the aspect of comprehensive utilization of resources, 85EF, enriched with low polarity PPD group saponins, is a new alternative source of anticancer saponins, and a promising botanical preparation for further anticancer studies.
MAO QianLI YiLI Song-LinYANG JieZHANG Ping-HuWANG Qiang
