Quantitation of β-carboline and quercetin in alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb.) by LC-MS/MS and evaluation of cardioprotective effects of the methanol extracts

Plant invasion is one of the major threats to natural ecosystems. The alligator weed grows rapidly within a small span of time and is easily available all over the world. beta-Carboline and quercetin are considered as excellent bioactive components of the alligator weed. In our study LC-MS/MS methods were performed for the detection and determination of the bioactive constituents, beta-carboline and quercetin in leaves, in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The effects of methanol extract on cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by doxorubicin using H9c2 cells were evaluated by MTT assay and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining assay. A sensitive and selective liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was developed and validated for the determination of beta-carboline and quercetin in this plant. According to in vitro cell evaluation experiments, methanol extracts significantly prevented cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by doxorubicin.