Isolation, characterization and modulatory potentials of β-stigmasterol, ergosterol and xylopic acid from Anchomanes difformis on mitochondrial permeability transition pore in vitro

Kehinde Oluseun Sodeinde; Akinwunmi Oluwaseun Adeoye; Adedeji Adesipo; Adebayo A Adeniyi; John Adeolu Falode; Tajudeen Olabisi Obafemi; Samuel Olalekan Olusanya; Linette Twigge; Jeanet Conradie; Timothy O Mosaku

doi:10.1016/j.chmed.2023.01.006

Isolation, characterization and modulatory potentials of β-stigmasterol, ergosterol and xylopic acid from Anchomanes difformis on mitochondrial permeability transition pore in vitro

Chin Herb Med. 2023 Jul 25;15(4):533-541. doi: 10.1016/j.chmed.2023.01.006. eCollection 2023 Oct.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State 371104, Nigeria.
² Biomembrane, Toxicology and Drug Discovery Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State 371104, Nigeria.
³ Department of Chemistry, University of Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa.
⁴ Department of Biochemistry, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State 360001, Nigeria.
⁵ Department of Civil Engineering, Covenant University, Ogun State 112104, Nigeria.

Abstract

Objective: Secondary metabolites and polyphenolic compounds from medicinal plants have been demonstrated to have multiple biological functions with promising research and development prospects. This study examined the effect of β-stigmasterol (with ergosterol) and xylopic acid isolated from Anchomanes difformis on liver mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP).

Methods: The compounds were isolated by vacuum liquid chromatography. Mitochondrial swelling was assessed as changes in absorbance under succinate-energized conditions.

Results: ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic elucidation of the isolates affirmed the presence of β-stigmasterol with ergosterol (1:0.3) and xylopic acid. The isolates reversed the increase in lipid peroxidation and inhibited the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pores caused by calcium and glucose. Pharmacological inhibition of mPTP offers a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of mitochondrial-associated disorders.

Conclusion: Reduction in the activity of calcium ATPase and the expression of Caspase-3 and -9 were observed, suggesting that they could play a role in protecting physicochemical properties of membrane bilayers from free radical-induced severe cellular damage and be useful in the management of diseases where much apoptosis occurs.

Keywords: Anchomanes difformis (Blume) Engl.; ergosterol; mitochondrial membrane; modulation; transition pore; xylopic acid; β-stigmasterol.