Anti-tumor effects of d-dicentrine from the root of Lindera megaphylla.

Abstract

d-Dicentrine, a naturally occurring aporphine type isoquinoline alkaloid, isolated from the root of Lindera megaphylla Hemsl. (Lauraceae), was evaluated for its potential anti-cancer activity. We found d-dicentrine significantly inhibited the growth of human hepatoma cell line HuH-7 by delaying its doubling time in tissue culture. An in vitro colony forming assay showed that d-dicentrine decreased the colony formation efficiency in both hepatoma cell lines, HuH-7 and MS-G2, used in our study. Biosyntheses of the macromolecules DNA and RNA were also strongly inhibited. An MTT assay in 21 tumor cell lines also revealed that d-dicentrine was most cytotoxic to esophageal carcinoma HCE-6, lymphoma cell lines Molt-4 and CESS, leukemia cell lines HL60 and K562, and hepatoma cell line MS-G2. An in vitro tumor growing assay in the Severe Combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice showed that intraperitoneal injection of d-dicentrine at the dose of 100 micrograms twice a week for 4 weeks significantly inhibited the tumor incidence of leukemia cell line K562 in SCID mice. All these data indicated that d-dicentrine has potential anti-tumor applications.

• Authors: R L Huang, C C Chen, Y L Huang, J C Ou, C P Hu, C F Chen, C Chang
• Journal: Planta medica (Planta Med) Vol. 64 Issue 3 Pg. 212-5 (Apr 1998) ISSN: 0032-0943 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 9581516 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
• Aporphines
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• dicentrine

Topics

• Animals
• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic (pharmacology)
• Aporphines (pharmacology)
• Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (pharmacology)
• Humans
• Mice
• Plant Roots
• Plants, Medicinal (chemistry)
• Tumor Cells, Cultured