Abstract
The phytochemical analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction of Arum palaestinum Boiss. (Araceae)
led to the isolation and identification of a new polyhydroxy alkaloid compound; (S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-
1H-pyrrol-2(5H)-one (1), and other five known compounds; caffeic acid (2), isoorientin
(3), luteolin (4) and vicenin II (5), as well as the rare compound 3,6,8-trimethoxy, 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy
flavone (6). The structural elucidations of all the compounds were based on spectroscopic
data (1H- and 13C-NMR, DEPT, HSQC, HMBC and NOE difference techniques) and
comparison with literature data. Investigation of the antioxidant activity of the ethyl acetate
fraction indicated its strong scavenging capacity for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals
(SC50 3.1±0.82 μg/mL). Moreover, the treatment of different human cancer cell lines with
the ethyl acetate fraction led to dose-dependant suppression in the proliferation of both breast
carcinoma cells (MCF-7; IC50 59.09±4.1 μg/mL) and lymphoblastic leukemia cells (1301; IC50
53.1±2.9 μg/mL); however, it was found to have no effect on the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma
cells (Hep G2). KCI Citation Count: 17