Antioxidative and anticarcinogenic activities of methylpheophorbide a, isolated from wheat grass (Triticum aestivum Linn.)

Nat Prod Res. 2016;30(4):474-7. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2015.1022775. Epub 2015 Mar 18.

Abstract

Methylphophorbide a (MPa) has been isolated from the ethanol extract of the wheat grass plant. Its antioxidative efficacy is evaluated by hydroxyl radical scavenging activities and reducing capacity which are significantly up regulated in comparison with aqueous extract of the plant. The compound shows iron-binding capacity where the Fe(2+) binds with MPa by two types of binding patterns with dissociation constants 157.17 and 27.89. It has antioxidative and cytotoxic effects on HeLa and Hep G2 cells. The cancerous cell survivability decreases with increasing concentration of MPa. These findings have provided evidence for the traditional use of the wheat grass plant in the treatment of cancers, oxidative stress and iron overloaded disorders.

Keywords: anti-cancer; antioxidative properties; iron-binding affinity; methylpheophorbide a; wheat grass.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Chlorophyll / analogs & derivatives*
  • Chlorophyll / pharmacology
  • HeLa Cells
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Triticum / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Antioxidants
  • Plant Extracts
  • Chlorophyll
  • methylpheophorbide