Investigation of triterpenoid saponins from Ardisia plants with selective anti-proliferative activities against liver cancer cells

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24590027
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Chemical pharmacy
• Research Institution: Toho University
• Principal Investigator: KOIKE Kazuo 東邦大学, 薬学部, 教授 (30130363)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): LI Wei 東邦大学, 薬学部, 准教授 (90328633)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 抗がん剤 / 天然物 / 創薬 / ヤブコウジ / サポニン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Development of more effective drugs possessing high tumor-selective pro-apoptotic activity is critical. As part of our ongoing study on discovery of new anti-cancer drug seeds from natural resouces, we paid attention to the possibility of triterpenoid saponins from Ardisia plants. A rapid and simple LC-MS analysis method was developed for identification and qualification of the triterpenoid saponins in Ardisia species, and the method was applied to the isolation of novel minor saponins from Ardisia plants. Biological study demonstrated the saponins from Ardisia plants showed potent and selective anti-proliferative activities and chemosensitizing activity against human liver cancer cell lines by modulating multiple molecules associated with cell cycle progression and apoptosis. These studies offer new insight into better understanding of triterpenoid saponins from Ardisia species for development of more specific and efficient anticancer agents.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学