Abstract

CAROTENOID PROFILE OF AILANTHUS ALTISSIMA STEM BARK, IN-VITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTINEOPLASTIC ACTIVITIES

Iliya Zhelev*, Kaloyan Georgiev and Ivanka Dimitrova-Dyulgerova

Abstract

Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (tree of heaven) is a fast-growing invasive species for Bulgaria and Europe and it belongs to the family Simaroubaceae. Carotenoid fraction from stem bark of Ailanthus altissima was isolated for the first time for this plant species, as well as lutein and lycopene. The main components identified and quantified by HPLC analysis were as follows: β-carotene – 4389.96 ± 120.7μg/g extract, lutein – 2515.11 ± 95.66 μg/g extract and lycopene – 154.77 ± 42.15 μg/g extract. The better antioxidant activity of total carotenoid extract was measured by ABTS assay. Antineoplastic effects of carotenoids on BJ, HepG2 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines were investigated, too. High quantities of pure carotenoids exhibited mainly antiproliferative activity, and MDA-MB-231 cell line was the most sensitive.

Keywords: Ailanthus altissima, carotenoids, HPLC, antioxidant activity, antineoplastic.