Two alkaloids, belonging to benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, were isolated from Annona squamosa. One of these alkaloids, 6, 7-dimethoxy-1-(α-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-2-methyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, was isolated for the first time from natural sources, while, the alkaloid, Coclaurine was known in Annona squamosa L. Moreover, the isolated alkaloids tested for the anti-cancer activities on various cell lines (HepG-2, MCF-7, and HCT-116).

Natural products, especially secondary metabolites produced by plants under stressed conditions, are shown to have different pharmacological impacts from one to another. Aeluropus lagopoides is one of the common halophyte plants that survive under stressed conditions, and has been used for healing wounds and as a painkiller. The bioactivity and the chemical composition of this plant have been poorly investigated. Consequently, the chemical components of A. lagopoides leaves were extracted using hexane (nonpolar), ethyl acetate (semi-polar), and n-butanol (polar) to extract the most extensive variety of metabolites. The cytotoxicity and anticancer impact of extracted secondary metabolites were evaluated against breast (MCF-7), colon (HCT-116), and liver (HepG2) cancer cell lines using a SulphoRhodamine-B (SRB) test. Their mechanisms of action were verified by observing the appearance of apoptotic bodies using the fluorescent microscope, while their antiproliferative impacts were evaluated using a flow cytometer. Results revealed that secondary metabolites extracted using hexane and ethyl acetate had the highest cytotoxicity and thus the greatest anticancer activity effect on HepG2 with IC₅₀ (24.29 ± 0.85 and 11.22 ± 0.679 µg/mL, respectively). On the other hand, flow cytometer results showed that secondary metabolites could inhibit the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase. To ascertain the chemical composition–function relationship, the extracts were analyzed using LC-MS/MS. Accordingly, A. lagopoides hexane and ethyl acetate extracts may contain agents with anticancer potential.

Purpose: To evaluate the bioactivity of hexane extract of S. fruticosa leaves against the cancer cell lines HepG2, MCF-7, and HCT-116, and to determine the chemical composition-function relationship. Methods: Using the liquid-liquid extraction method, the nonpolarL constituent compounds were isolated from the leaves. The cytotoxicity of the hexane extract was evaluated using an SRB assay. Mechanism of action was verified by observing the appearance of apoptotic bodies using fluorescence microscopy, while anti-proliferative activity was assayed via flow cytometry. Results: The results revealed that secondary metabolites in the hexane extract demonstrated the highest cytotoxicity, and thus anticancer activity, against HCT-116 cells, with an IC50 of 17.15 ± 0.78 mg/mL. The presence of apoptotic bodies indicate an ability to induce apoptosis. Flow cytometry results suggest that the secondary metabolites stalled the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. Conclusion: The results indicate that S. fruticosa hexane extract may be considered a potential new source of the anti-cancer compound, momilactone B. Keywords: Anticancer, Apoptosis, Colon Cancer, Liver cancer, Breast cancer, Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, Suaeda fruticose, Momilactone B

Twenty-two alkaloids, were isolated from Fumaria densiflora. Two of these alkaloids, N-methyl-5-hydroxystylopine chloride and fumaricine N-oxide, were isolated for the first time from natural sources. Parfumine and fumaritine, in concentrations ranging from 3 × 10⁻⁷ to 9 × 10⁻⁴ M, caused concentration–dependent relaxation of ileum longitudinal segment. Also, parfumine and fumaritine in concentrations ranging from 3 × 10⁻⁴ to 9 × 10⁻² M, caused concentration – dependent decrease in heart rate of the isolated perfused heart. A concentration of parfumine of 3 × 10⁻² M increased but a higher concentration (9 × 10⁻² M) decreased the amplitude of contraction of the isolated perfused heart. On the other hand, fumaritine, in concentrations ranging from 3 × 10⁻⁴ to 3 × 10⁻² M, caused concentration – dependent increase, but a higher concentration (9 × 10⁻² M) caused a decrease in the amplitude of contraction of the isolated perfused heart.

Alkaloids reported to have a wide range of biological activity moreover, the biological effects of alkaloids depends on the type of the alkaloids and since the phytochemical screening studies on Suaeda fruticosa indicates the presence of alkaloids but they did not determine the types of the alkaloids present on this plant. Consequently, the LC-MS/MS analysis of the alkaloidal part of Suaeda fruticosa leave extarct reveals the presence of six quinoline alkaloids beside that mass spectra analysis of the present quinoline alkaloids leads to suggest a new biosynthetic pathway of quinoline alkaloids.

The journal retracts the article “Cell Cycle Arrest in Different Cancer Cell Lines (Liver, Breast, and Colon) Induces Apoptosis under the Influence of the Chemical Content of Aeluropus lagopoides Leaf Extracts”