Chemical profiles and anticancer effects of saponin fractions of different polarity from the leaves of Panax notoginseng

AIM:To evaluate the chemical profiles and cytotoxic effects among the total saponin fraction(TSF),25% ethanol fraction(25EF),50% ethanol fraction(50EF),and 85% ethanol fraction(85EF) prepared by macroporous resin from the leaves of Panax notoginseng.METHOD:The simultaneous determination of thirteen main saponins,as well as the chemical profiles of saponin fractions of different polarity,was made by HPLC-DAD and LC-ESI-MSn analysis.The cytotoxic effects were determined against KP4 cells(human pancreatic cancer),NCI-H727 cells(human lung cancer),HepG2 cells(human hepatocellular cancer),and SGC-7901 cells(human gastric adenocarcinoma).RESULTS:Chemical analysis indicated that 85EF possessed the most abundant cytotoxic protopanaxadiol saponins,including the marker saponins F2,20(R)-Rg3,20(S)-Rg3,and Rh2.The MTT assay showed that 85EF also had the strongest cytotoxic effects among the four fractions.25EF showed no anti-proliferative effects,while 50EF and TSF exhibited weak anti-proliferative activity.CONCLUSION:From the aspect of comprehensive utilization of resources,85EF,enriched with low polarity PPD group saponins,is a new alternative source of anticancer saponins,and a promising botanical preparation for further anticancer studies.