Metabolite profiling of anticancer compounds in Saussure lappa based on UPLC-QToFMS/MS

Background: Saussure lappa is a plant of the Asteraceae family that has been known as a medicinal plant to treat cancer. However, there is still a lack of data about the metabolite profiling of this extract and target activity in the cancer signaling pathway. Objective: This study aimed to identify metabolites and evaluate the anticancer activity of Saussure lappa active ingredients. Method: The root sample was extracted using Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) with 96% ethanol solvent. Evaluation of the anticancer activity of the compounds was carried out using the PASS SERVER tools. Result: About 17 metabolites have been characterised. Interestingly, Saussureamine B, C, D, costunolide, and dehydrocostus lactone showed highly antineoplastic potential properties with several possible activities such as apoptosis agonists, MMP9 expression inhibitors, and Transcription factor NF-kappa B inhibitors. Conclusion: The root extract of Saussure lappa is highly recommended to be developed as an anticancer drug candidate.