Cytotoxicity and Suppressive Effect of Leaves of Mimusops laurifolia on Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Liver Injury in Rats and its Bioactive Constituents

Abstract

Since the genus Mimusops is one of the important genera in the Indian traditional medicine, and is represented in Egypt with species; Mimusops laurifolia (Forssk.) Friis., thus the plant is selected for our investigation to reveal its biological activities and phytochemically analyze its bioactive fractions. The ethanolic extract of its leaves (LEE) and its different fractions: n-hexane (HF), chloroform (CF), ethyl acetate (EAF) and n-butanol (BF) were evaluated for in vivo hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 induced hepatic cell damage in rats and for in vitro cytotoxicity against human liver cancer cell line (HEPG2); consequently the bioactive constituents were defined whereby EAF evidenced statistically significant hepatoprotection. Moreover, HF and α-amyrin (major compound isolated from HF) showed promising cytotoxicity against HEPG2. Structures of isolated compounds were established on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral analysis. The bioactive fractions were examined for the isolation of 14 compounds for the first time from Mimusops laurifolia (Forssk.) Friis. From the lipophilic fractions: Lupeol acetate, α-amyrin, chondrillasterol, oleanolic acid, chondrillasterol-3-O-β-D-galactoside, mearnsitrin, myricetin and quercetin were isolated. While, from EAF: mearnsitrin, myricitrin, myricetin-3-O-β-D-galactoside, quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside, rutin and myricetin-3-O-β-D-glucuronide were isolated. Leaves of Mimusops laurifolia (Forssk.) Friis can be considered as a natural medicinal plant with a potential anticancer and hepatoprotection due to its bioactive ingredients in both HF and EAF, respectively.