Anticancer effects in vitro and chemical compositions of extracts of Acanthopanax henryi

Objective: To study on anticancer effect in vitro and chemical compositions of root bark extracts of Acanthopanax henryi. Methods: The hot methanol extract of the root bark of A. henryi was through XAD-4 column chromatography eluting with a gradiennt of methanol in water. The anticancer effects of MeOH fractions were evaluated by MTT method. Then compounds were isolated by a combination of chromatographic materials, silica gel, ODS, and Sephadex LH-20, and finally methods of recrystallization were used to purify products. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. Results: The 100% MeOH fraction showed better cytotoxicity on HL-60 cells, HT-29 cells and A549 cells as judged by IC50 than other MeOH fractions. Six compounds were identified as stigmasterol (I), β-sitosterol (II), eleutheroside E (III), acanthoic acid (IV), kaurenoic acid (V), and daucosterol (VI), respectively. Conclusion: 100% MeOH fraction of the root bark of A. henryi has significant inhibition on HL-60 human leukemia cells, HT-29 human colon cancer cells, A549 human lung cancer cells. Compounds IV and Vwere obtained from this plant for the first time. These results provide a pharmacological basis for the treatment of cancer in the clinical application of this herb. Keywods: Acanthopanax henryi (Oliv.)Harms, root bark extracts, anticancer effect, chemical compositions