LC-MS/MS-based steroidal saponins profiling and biological activities of Ruscus hyrcanus Woronow

Abstract Introduction Ruscus species are important medicinal herbs because of their traditional uses. Steroidal saponins such as ruscogenin and neoruscogenin are considered as their active ingredients. Methods In the present study, an HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis was used to determine steroidal saponins occurring in Ruscus hyrcanus roots. Cytotoxicity and antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the herb were also investigated using MTT, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and inhibition zone and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods, respectively. Results LC-MS2 experiments showed the occurrence of seven spirostanol saponins and their derivatives in the roots; three of these were glycoside compounds and the others were aglycones, including ruscogenin and neoruscogenin. The saponin-rich extract showed 6-85% DPPH radical scavenging activity at the tested concentrations. Antiproliferative assays showed promising activity of the extract against MCF-7 and PC-3 cancer cell lines. Moreover, strong antimicrobial effects were observed against different gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains and fungal strains in growth inhibition and MIC assays. Conclusion The results of the present study suggest that LC-MS/MS is a suitable technique for the profiling of saponins in R. hyrcanus and that these saponins may have remarkable antioxidant and antimicrobial activities for designing novel applications.