Ipomoea carnea alkaloid extract vs swainsonine: A comparative study on cytotoxic activity against glial cells

• Published in: Toxicon (Oxford) 2023-11, Vol.235, p.107325-107325, Article 107325
• Main Authors: Cholich, Luciana, Pistán, María, Torres, Ana, Hernández, David, Moro, Ramiro, Gómez, Tamara, Gardner, Dale, Bustillo, Soledad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: C6 cell line; Cytotoxicity; Glioma; Ipomoea carnea extract; Swainsonine
• ISSN: 0041-0101; 1879-3150
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107325

The consumption of Ipomoea carnea produces a neurological syndrome in animals. The toxic principles of I. carnea are the alkaloids swainsonine (SW) and calystegines B1, B2, B3 and C1. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxicity of an alkaloid extract of Ipomoea carnea (AEE) and natural swainsonine (SW) isolated from Astragalus lentiginosus (25–1000 μM of SW) for 48 h in a glioma cell line. Although the natural SW did not induce any changes in cell viability, the AEE exhibited a dose dependent cytotoxic effect and release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) indicative of cytolysis. In order to evaluate the morphological changes involved, cells were examined using phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy with acridine orange-ethidium bromide staining. The AEE caused a cell death compatible with necrosis, whereas exposure to 1000 μM of SW resulted in cytoplasmic vacuolation. Immunocytochemical studies revealed that astrocytes treated with 150 μM of AEE from I. carnea or 1000 μM of SW exhibited morphological characteristics of cell activation. These findings suggest that swainsonine would not be the only component present in the AEE of I. carnea responsible for in vitro cytotoxicity. Calystegines might also play a role in acting synergistically and triggering cell death through necrosis. [Display omitted] •Ipomoea carnea alkaloid extract significantly reduced cell viability and caused LDH release.•Ipomoea carnea alkaloid extract induced cellular necrosis.•High concentrations of natural SW caused cytoplasmic vacuolation without significant cell death.•Ipomoea carnea alkaloid extract and high SW concentrations activated astrocytes morphologically.•Other compounds in the alkaloid extract of I. carnea, like calystegins, could also contribute to the observed cytotoxicity.