Screening for Selective Anticancer Activity of 65 Extracts of Plants Collected in Western Andalusia, Spain

Finding cytotoxic drugs with a high selectivity towards cancer cells is crucial to improve the low survival rates of patients diagnosed with metastatic cancers. Since plants are an important source of anticancer drugs, we have screened 65 extracts from 45 plants collected in several areas of Western Andalusia (Spain) for cytotoxic activity on lung cancer cells versus lung normal cells. An extract from the leaves of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Mast. (Cupressaceae) showed a marked cytotoxicity (IC50 = 0.37 ± 0.03 μg/mL) and selectivity (selectivity index = 378.3) against the lung cancer cells; cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and an extract from the leaves of Taxus baccata L. (Taxaceae) were less cytotoxic and selective. Extracts from Cascabela thevetia (L.) Lippold (Apocynaceae), Frangula alnus Mill. (Rhamnaceae), Iberis ciliata subsp. contracta (Pers.) Moreno (Brassicaceae), Juniperus macrocarpa Sm (Cupressaceae), and Pancratium maritimum L. (Amaryllidaceae) also showed selective cytotoxicity (selectivity index > 10). Active extracts were also tested against a panel of cancer cell lines from a variety tissues. The plants identified in this work are potential sources of natural compounds with selective toxicity towards cancer cells.

Simultaneous Biochemical and Physiological Responses of the Roots and Leaves of Pancratium maritimum (Amaryllidaceae) to Mild Salt Stress

Pancratium maritimum (Amaryllidaceae) is a bulbous geophyte growing on coastal sands. In this study, we investigated changes in concentrations of metabolites in the root and leaf tissue of P. maritimum in response to mild salt stress. Changes in concentrations of osmolytes, glutathione, sodium, mineral nutrients, enzymes, and other compounds in the leaves and roots were measured at 0, 3, and 10 days during a 10-day exposure to two levels of mild salt stress, 50 mM NaCl or 100 mM NaCl in sandy soil from where the plants were collected in dunes near Cuma, Italy. Sodium accumulated in the roots, and relatively little was translocated to the leaves. At both concentrations of NaCl, higher values of the concentrations of oxidized glutathione disulfide (GSSG), compared to reduced glutathione (GSH), in roots and leaves were associated with salt tolerance. The concentration of proline increased more in the leaves than in the roots, and glycine betaine increased in both roots and leaves. Differences in the accumulation of organic osmolytes and electron donors synthesized in both leaves and roots demonstrate that osmoregulatory and electrical responses occur in these organs of P. maritimum under mild salt stress.

Message in a bottle: the Mediterranean Sea currents acted as protagonists in shaping the distribution of the sea daffodil (Pancratium maritimum, Amaryllidaceae)

The Mediterranean Basin can be considered as a natural laboratory with which to study the effects of sea currents in the dispersal of coastal plant species that use hydrochory. Pancratium maritimum is a perennial geophyte, with a wide distribution along Mediterranean coasts. We aim to provide a timeframe for the origin of the diversification of this plant, to clarify its phylogeographical structure and to investigate the role of currents in the Mediterranean Sea in influencing spatial patterns of its genetic distribution. The phylogeographic history was analysed using 50 populations. A genetic structure analysis and divergence time estimation was performed using plastid sequences. Five haplotypes were detected, of which two were the most abundant; a third was observed in the central Mediterranean, and two rare haplotypes were present in the eastern Mediterranean. The genetic breaks were concordant with the direction of the major Mediterranean currents. The divergence time estimation for the origin of P. maritimum was located at the end of the Neogene (mid Pliocene to mid Pleistocene). We showed the importance of sea currents in the Mediterranean in acting both as a means of dispersal and as a barrier to the distribution and evolution of P. maritimum due to the special adaptations of its seeds.

Seasonal Functional Partitioning of Carbohydrates and Proline among Plant Parts of the Sand Daffodil

The sand daffodil (Pancratium maritimum) is a perennial geophyte, widely distributed and grown in a wild stage along the Mediterranean seashores. The aboveground tissues of this geophyte are exposed to harsh, ambient conditions and its large inflorescences of remarkable beauty and fragrance expand during the drought season and carry particular ornamental worth. The ecophysiological principles underlining metabolic processes of this geophyte are poorly understood. The seasonal variation of soluble sugars, starch, and proline was investigated in individuals collected from patches of P. maritimum, therefore, monthly measurements were performed in bulbs, leaves, scapes, and petals during a year. It was found that (a) sugar content showed similar seasonal trends between bulbs and leaves, as well as between petals and scapes, (b) bulbs contained enhanced starch concentrations irrespective of season, (c) proline accumulation exhibited substantial seasonal fluctuations among the considered tissues and pronounced differences were detected between maxima in petals and leaves. A substantial increase in both sugar and proline content was evident in petals during the drought season. In leaves, the accumulation of proline and, to a lesser extent, sugars was negatively correlated to the precipitation of the Mediterranean study site. It seems likely that the astonishing flowering of P. maritimum is supported by large leaf and bulb reserves.

Chemical Composition and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Turkish Pancratium maritimum Bulbs

The chemical composition of the bulbs of Pancratium maritimum L. (Amaryllidaceae) from Turkey (Pamucak, Aydın) has been determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 29 compounds belonging to different skeletal types of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids were identified. Lycorine, galanthamine, crinine, and pancracine were found as major constituents. Interestingly, indole alkaloids (1-acetyl-β -carboline and galanthindole) were also detected. Acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and prolyl oligopeptidase inhibitory activity potentials of the alkaloidal extract were also determined. The results of the present study show that Turkish P. maritimum comprises a rich repository for bioactive alkaloids with intriguing structural diversities.

BIODIVERSITY OF PLANTS AND NATURAL HABITATS IN THE VICINITIES OF ARAPYA BAY, ROPOTAMO NATURAL RESERVE, ALEPU BEACH, SINEMORETS AND SILISTAR CAPE (BULGARIAN SOUTHERN BLACK SEA COAST)

The flora in the vicinities of Arapya Bay, Alepu beach, Sinemorets and Silistar cape of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast (which includes three beach zones and two protected natural areas) is rich in rare psammophytic and halophytic species: Hypecoum ponticum Velen., Pancratium maritimum L., Silene thymifolia Sm., Eryngium maritimum L., Limonium latifolium (Sm.) Kuntze, Tulipa thracica Davidov, Centaurea arenaria M. Bieb., Trachomitum venetum (L.) Woodson and Maresia nana (DC.) Batt. Within these areas some Mediterranean geo elements reach their northernmost point: Reichardia picroides (L.) Roth and Romulea linaresii Parl. All of the species mentioned above have been included in the Red List of Bulgarian vascular plants (1) The Tulipa thracica Davidov species fall under a Critically Endangered (CR) category. Nine species have an Endangered (EN) status: Hypecoum ponticum Velen., Pancratium maritimum L., Silene thymifolia Sm., Eryngium maritimum L., Trachomitum venetun (L.) Woodson, Reichardia picroides (L.) Roth, Cistus salviifolius L., Verbascum bugulifolium Lam. and Serapias vomeracea (Burm.) Briq. Six species fall under a Vulnerable (VU) category: Limonium latifolium (Sm.) Kuntze, Centaurea arenaria M. Bieb., Maresia nana (DC.) Batt. and Romulea linaresii Parl., Limodorum abortivum (L.) Schwarz and Orchis papilionacea L. Under a Least Concern (LC) are the following species: Fritillaria pontica Wahlenb. and Mespilus germanica L. Legally protected by (2) are: Pancratium maritimum L., Eryngium maritimum L., Limonium latifolium (Sm.) Kuntze, Tulipa thracica Davidov, Centaurea arenaria M. Bieb., Trachomitum venetum (L.) Woodson, Maresia nana (DC.) Batt, Reichardia picroides (L.) Roth, Romulea linaresii Parl., Verbascum bugulifolium Lam., Cistus salviifolius L., Serapias vomeracea (Burm.) Briq., Limodorum abortivum (L.) Schwarz, Orchis papilionacea L., Fritillaria pontica Wahlenb. In addition, there are five species from the Orchidaceae family with different conservation status: the Endangered Serapias vomeracea (Burm.) Briq., the Vulnerable Limodorum abortivum (L.) Schwarz and Orchis papilionacea L. and two species from the CITES convention - Orchis purpurea Huds.and Orchis morio L. Three habitats were with an Endangered Conservation status: 01B1 Pontic sand beach annual communities, 02B1 Pontic embryonic dunes and 04B1 Southwestern Pontic fixed dunes (3).

Investigating the Antiproliferative and Antioxidant Properties ofPancratium maritimumL. (Amaryllidaceae) Stems, Flowers, Bulbs, and Fruits Extracts

Pancratium maritimumstems, flowers, bulbs, and fruits extracts were investigated for their antiproliferative and antioxidant properties. Total phenols and total flavonoids were also determined. Thein vitroantiproliferative activity was tested against seven cancer cell lines such as C32, HeLa, MDA-MB-231, PC3, A549, MCF-7, and LNCaP by using SRB assay. Interesting results were obtained with stems ethanol extract (ET1) against C32 cells (IC50of 27.1μg/mL) and fruits aqueous extract (AQ) against MCF-7 cell line (IC50of 36.5μg/mL). To define the antioxidant activity, four tests such as DPPH, ABTS FRAP, andβ-carotene bleaching tests were used.The most promising ABTS scavenging capacity was observed with fruits ethanol extract (ET1) that showed an IC50value of 6.9μg/mL. According to the correlation results, the phenols and flavonoids content could provide a fundamental contribution to the antioxidant and antiproliferative activity ofP. maritimumextracts.