Preferentially Cytotoxic Constituents of Andrographis paniculata and their Preferential Cytotoxicity against Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines

Nat Prod Commun. 2015 Jul;10(7):1153-8.

Abstract

In the course of our search for anticancer agents based on a novel anti-austerity strategy, we found that the 70% EtOH extract of the crude drug Andrographis Herba (aerial parts of Andrographis paniculata), used in Japanese Kampo medicines, killed PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells preferentially in nutrient-deprived medium (NDM). Phytochemical investigation of the 70% EtOH extract led to the isolation of 21 known compounds consisting of six labdane-type diterpenes (11, 15, 17-19, 21), six flavones (5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 20), three flavanones (2, 6, 16), two sterols (3, 8), a fatty acid (1), a phthalate (4), a triterpene (9), and a monoterpene (13). Among them, 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (17) displayed the most potent preferential cytotoxicity against PANC-1 and PSN-1 cells with PC50 values of 10.0 μM and 9.27 μM, respectively. Microscopical observation, double staining with ethidium bromide (EB) and acridine orange (AO), and flow cytometry with propidium iodide/annexin V double staining indicated that 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (17) triggered apoptosis-like cell death in NDM with an amino acids and/or serum-sensitive mode.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Andrographis / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / isolation & purification*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Diterpenes / isolation & purification
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Flavonoids / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Phytosterols / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Diterpenes
  • Flavonoids
  • Phytosterols