Cytotoxicity of two triterpenoids from Nigella glandulifera

Molecules. 2006 Sep 13;11(9):693-9. doi: 10.3390/11090693.

Abstract

During an investigation of antitumor substances from Nigella glandulifera Freyn et Sint. (Ranunculaceae) the cytotoxicity of two oleanane triterpene saponins isolated from the seeds of this species, kalopanaxsaponins A and I, was evaluated against HepG2, drug resistant HepG2 (R-HepG2) (two hepatocyte cell lines) and primary cultured normal mouse hepatocytes. Evident cytotoxic activities were observed. Morphological observations and cell cycle analysis suggest that these compounds inhibit the proliferation of hepatoma by inducing apoptosis and consequently kalopanaxsaponins A and I may be potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of parental and drug resistant hepatoma.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / toxicity
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Growth Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Growth Inhibitors / toxicity
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Nigella / chemistry*
  • Oleanolic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Oleanolic Acid / chemistry
  • Oleanolic Acid / toxicity
  • Saponins / chemistry
  • Saponins / toxicity
  • Triterpenes / chemistry*
  • Triterpenes / toxicity*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Growth Inhibitors
  • Saponins
  • Triterpenes
  • kalopanax saponin A
  • kalopanax saponin I
  • Oleanolic Acid