Chemical and Biological Investigation of Ochrosia elliptica Labill. Cultivated ‎in Egypt

The phytochemical investigation of Ochrosia eliptica leaves resulted in isolation and identification of eight compounds; lupeol, lupeol acetate, uvaol, ursolic acid, β-sitosterol glucoside, rutin, 8-methoxy and 9-methoxy ellipticine . The ethanolic extract and fractions were studied for their cytotoxic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The cytotoxic activity was performed on human mammary adenocarcinoma (MCF7), its multidrug-resistant ‎ counterpart (VCREMS), estrogen receptor negative human metastatic breast ‎ adenocarcinoma cells (MDA-MB-231) and the non-cancerous, immortalized by ‎ telomerase, human breast epithelial cell line (hTERT-HME1). Additionally, the inhibitory potential on Cdc25s proteins was determined. The results showed that the dichloromethane (DCM) fraction and the major alkaloid; 9-methoxyellipticine exhibited high inhibitory activity against all tested cell lines particularly MCF7 and VCREMS cell lines, whereas t he DCM fraction showed a significant inhibitory action on Cdc25 A isoform. In contrast, the n-butanol fraction and 9-methoxyellipticine displayed the highest antioxidant potential. The DCM fraction showed significant anti-inflammatory activity compared to indomethacin. This work comprises the first comprehensive work to be conducted on O. elliptica leaves showing its potential in multiple biological activities .