Background:
Abrus precatorius Linn. (Kunch in Bengali) is widely spread in tropical and
sub-tropical regions. It is a typical plant species which is well-known simultaneously as folk medicine
and for its toxicity.
Objective:
Phytoceutical investigation of the white variety seeds of Abrus precatorius Linn.
Methods:
Traditional extraction, separation, isolation, and purification processes were followed. The
structure was elucidated by various spectral analyses and the solid-state structure of this indolealkaloid
was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Docking interactions of L-abrine had
been studied against ten major proteins, responsible for various types of cancers. In silico studies
were done by Schrödinger Maestro, AutoDock4, PyMOL and AutoDock Vina. The protein structures
were downloaded from Protein Data Bank. Sulforhodamine B (SRB) colorimetric assay was
used for in vitro anticancer evaluation against four human cancer cell lines.
Results:
An indole-containing unusual amino acid alkaloid had been isolated from the white variety
seeds of Abrus precatorius Linn. In silico docking studies demonstrated significant antiproliferative
activity against four human cancer cell lines.
Conclusion:
The solid-state zwitterion structure of the indole-containing alkaloid (α-methylamino-
β-indolepropionic acid, L-abrine) has been confirmed for the first time by X-ray crystallography.
Highly promising in silico and in vitro results indicate that L-abrine may find its space in future
anticancer drug discovery research.
Cover Picture: Halogen and Hydrogen Bonding between (N
-Halogeno)-succinimides and Pyridine Derivatives in Solution, the Solid State and In Silico (Chem. Eur. J. 22/2017)
