Phenolic profiling of Rorippa palustris (L.) Besser (Brassicaceae) by LC-ESI-MS: Chemosystematic significance and cytotoxic activity

ObjectiveTo investigate the phenolic profile of Rorippa palustris (R. palustris) compared to Egyptian Rorippa species to evaluate their chemosystematic significance as well as screen cytotoxicity of R. palustris extract.MethodsThe chemical components of defatted hydroalcoholic R. palustris extract were analyzed using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry technique. The cytotoxic activity was evaluated by using MTT assay against four carcinoma cell lines.ResultsSixteen compounds corresponding to flavonoids (kaempferol and quercetin derivatives), phenolic acids (gallic, coumaric and ferulic acids derivatives) and an anthocyanin (delphinine derivative) were identified or tentatively characterized, of which ten compounds were detected for the first time from R. palustris. Moreover, R. palustris extract showed a moderate activity against MCF7 and A549 cell lines at 100 mg/mL with cell viability of 47.3% and 65.4%, respectively.ConclusionsThe phenolic profile and the morphological characters of R. paluatris seem to be in relation with those of Rorippa indica, which can be considered as an indicative parameter for its medicinal importance.