Aqueous methanolic extracts of Philippine alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. bark rescued HT-29 cells from RSL3-induced ferroptosis

• Main Authors: Chua, Katrina Lorraine C., Tensuan, Anne Nicole S.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2024
• Subjects: Apocynaceae; Medicinal plants > Philippines; Biochemistry
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdb_chem/50; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etdb_chem/article/1059/viewcontent/2024_Chua_Tensuan_Aqueous_methanolic_extracts_of_Philippine_Alstonia_scholaris__L._.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of non-apoptotic cell death implicated in various diseases linked with oxidative stress. Plants are a growing source of bioactive compounds that can serve as therapeutic agents by mediating ferroptosis. Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. locally known as “Dita” is an evergreen tropical tree native to the Philippines. It is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties among others. Its bark is extensively used in traditional medicine systems. This study investigated Alstonia scholaris bark extracts (ASBE) as a potential ferroptosis inhibitor. DPPH assay demonstrated that ASBE possesses significant radical scavenging activity (IC50=0.2416 mg/mL). TPC and TFC assays show notable levels of phenolic compounds (26.83±3.51 mg GAE/g crude extract) and flavonoids (7.590±1.594 mg QE/g crude extract) in ASBE respectively. GC-MS analysis identified seventeen unique compounds in ASBE, with sugars and their derivatives being the most prevalent. Treatment of 0.1875 mg/mL ASBE rescued HT-29 cells against RSL3-induced ferroptosis comparable to Ferrostatin-1. Quinic acid obtained from the GC-MS analysis exhibited hydrogen bonding (Thr43, Phe214, and Gln218) and a carbon-hydrogen bond at Gly46 upon molecular docking simulations with Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). These results demonstrate the potential use of ASBE as a novel therapeutic strategy in combating ferroptosis-related diseases.