An Efficient Method for the Isolation of Toxins from Pteridium aquilinum and Evaluation of Ptaquiloside Against Cancer and Non-cancer Cells^{[ # ]}

Abstract

The common fern, bracken (Pteridium aquilinum), is well known for its toxic effects on livestock due principally to the carcinogenic constituent ptaquiloside (

1), although other toxins are present including the cyanogenic glycoside, prunasin (

2). Here, we report an improved and relatively “green” process for the isolation of

1 and

2 from fresh bracken fronds and the evaluation of

1 for cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines. The results indicate that

1 displays selective toxicity against cancer cells relative to noncancer retinal epithelial cells, and the improved method for the isolation of

1 is expected to facilitate further exploration of its pharmacological properties.

Key words

Pteridium aquilinum - ptaquiloside - prunasin - cytotoxic - glycosidase

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