Studies on the cytotoxicity of cucurbitacins isolated from Cayaponia racemosa (Cucurbitaceae)

Z Naturforsch C J Biosci. 2006 Sep-Oct;61(9-10):643-6. doi: 10.1515/znc-2006-9-1005.

Abstract

The cytotoxic potential of three cucurbitacins, 2,3,16,20(R),25-pentahydroxy-11,22-dioxo-cucurbita-5-en (cucurbitacin P, 1), 2,3,16,20(R),25-pentahydroxy-22-oxocucurbita-5-en (2) and 2,3,16,20(R),25-pentahydroxy-22-oxocucurbita-5,23(E)-diene (deacetylpicracin, 3), obtained from Cayaponia racemosa was evaluated as their ability to induce brine shrimp lethality, to inhibit the development of sea urchin eggs and tumor cell proliferation, and to lysis mouse erythrocytes. Compounds 1 and 2 were highly toxic with LC50 of (29.6+/-.1) (56.8) and (38.8 +/-.0) (76.6) micro/mL (umicro), respectively, while compound 3 was not effective at the tested concentrations. All tested compounds possessed an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of tumor cell lines, compound 1 being the most active, followed by 2 and 3. Nevertheless, no hemolytic activity or inhibition of the development of sea urchin eggs was observed for these compounds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Artemia / drug effects*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects*
  • Cucurbitaceae / chemistry*
  • Hemolysis
  • Hemolytic Agents / isolation & purification
  • Hemolytic Agents / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Mitosis / drug effects
  • Triterpenes / isolation & purification*
  • Triterpenes / toxicity

Substances

  • Hemolytic Agents
  • Triterpenes
  • cucurbitacin B
  • cucurbitacin C