Evaluation of Cytotoxic Activity in vitro of Charantin A Extracted from Momordica charantia

Charantins A is cucurbitane-type triterpene glycoside secondary metabolites derived from Momordica charantia . Here, biological activities of charantin A and mode of action to Spodoptera litura ovary cell line ( SpLi-221) were evaluated. We investigated the effects of charantins A on cell growth inhibition compared with charantins B, momordicin I and azadirachtin A. Among them, charantins A showed the most potent activity against SpLi-221 cells with the lowest IC 50 values, and in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the cell morphology changed after charantin A treatment, including cytoplasm leakage, irregular morphology, and apoptotic bodies. In addition, the flow cytometry assay confirmed that charantin A promoted the occurrence of cells’ G2/M block and apoptosis, as evidenced by an increased ratio of cells in the sub-G1 phase. Furthermore, cell membrane disruption and increase of intracellular calcium levels were observed following charantin A treatment. These findings provide new clues regarding the role of cucurbitane-type triterpene glycosides as potential novel pesticides for pest control.