Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2025
Multi-Faceted Mass Spectrometric Investigation of Neuropeptides in Callinectes sapidus
Published on: May 31, 2022
[A new cyclopeptide from Selaginella tamariscina]
Xin-Jia Yan1, Jing Wen2, Yang Song3
1Institute of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Southwest Minzu University Chengdu 610041, China Tibetan Plateau Ethnic Medicinal Resources Protection and Utilization Key Laboratory of National Ethnic Affairs Commission of the People's Republic of China Chengdu 610225, China Sichuan Provincial Qiang-Yi Medicinal Resources Protection and Utilization Technology Engineering Laboratory Chengdu 610225, China.
A new cyclopeptide, selapeptin A, was isolated from Selaginella tamariscina. This compound demonstrated significant cytotoxic activity against B16 F10 melanoma cells.
Area of Science:
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Pharmacology
- Medicinal Chemistry
Background:
- Selaginella tamariscina is a plant known for its diverse bioactive compounds.
- Cyclopeptides are a class of natural products with various pharmacological properties.
- Investigating novel compounds from medicinal plants can lead to new therapeutic agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize a new cyclopeptide from Selaginella tamariscina.
- To evaluate the cytotoxic activity of the isolated compound against cancer cell lines.
Main Methods:
- Extraction and isolation using ethyl acetate fraction and various column chromatography techniques (HP-20, polyamide, semi-preparative HPLC).
- Structure elucidation through extensive spectroscopic analysis, including High-Resolution Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) and 1D/2D Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR).
- Cytotoxicity evaluation using the MTT assay.
Main Results:
- A new cyclopeptide, named selapeptin A (1), was successfully isolated and structurally identified.
- Selapeptin A exhibited potent cytotoxic activity against B16 F10 melanoma cells, with an inhibition rate of 51.57%±4.34% at 40 μmol·L⁻¹.
- The compound showed no significant impact on MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cell lines at 100 μmol·L⁻¹.
Conclusions:
- Selaginella tamariscina is a source of novel cyclopeptides with selective cytotoxic properties.
- Selapeptin A is a promising candidate for further investigation as an anticancer agent, particularly against melanoma.
- The findings contribute to the understanding of the chemical diversity and pharmacological potential of Selaginella species.
