Glucosinolate profile and antiproliferative properties of the resurrection plant Anastatica hierochuntica (True Rose of Jericho)

Anastatica hierochuntica L., a desert plant used in traditional medicine, had not been comprehensively characterised for its glucosinolate (GSL) content and associated bioactivity. GSLs were identified and quantified by UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS using their desulfo-counterparts. Volatile breakdown products were analysed by GC-MS after hydrodistillation and enzymatic hydrolysis. Antipro­liferative activity of the volatile fractions was evaluated on human ovarian and cervical cancer cell lines. The major constituent in roots and aerial parts was 3-(methylsulfinyl)propyl GSL (glucoiberin; 1.49 and 35.46 μmol/g DW, respectively), with its deoxygenated analogue, 3-(methylsulfanyl)propyl GSL (glucoibervirin), present in low amounts. Desulfoglucoiberin was structurally confirmed by NMR spectroscopy. GC-MS identified 3-(methylsulfanyl)propyl isothiocyanate, derived from glucoibervirin during hydrodistillation, and 3-(methylsulfinyl)propyl isothiocyanate, formed by enzymatic breakdown of glucoiberin, as the principal volatiles. The volatile fraction obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis showed the strongest antiproliferative effect after 72 h, with IC50 values of 33.06 μg/mL against SiHa cells and 34.55 μg/mL against SK-OV-3 cells.