A DNA strand-nicking principle of a higher plant, Caesalpinia sappan

Arch Pharm Res. 2003 Feb;26(2):147-50. doi: 10.1007/BF02976661.

Abstract

To find anticancer agents from higher plants, DNA strand-scission assay method was employed for bioassay-guided fractionation as well as for screening the crude extracts. During the screening, an ethyl acetate extracts of the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan L. (Leguminosae) exhibited potent DNA strand-scission activity. Therefore, the ethyl acetate extracts of the dried heartwood of C. sappan was subjected to the bioassay-guided fractionation, which led to the isolation of a known compound, brazilin (1) as the active constituent. In addition, caesalpine J (2) was also isolated as an inactive constituent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic* / isolation & purification
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic* / pharmacology
  • Benzopyrans* / chemistry
  • Benzopyrans* / isolation & purification
  • Benzopyrans* / pharmacology
  • Bridged-Ring Compounds* / chemistry
  • Bridged-Ring Compounds* / isolation & purification
  • Bridged-Ring Compounds* / pharmacology
  • Caesalpinia / chemistry*
  • DNA Damage
  • Diterpenes* / chemistry
  • Diterpenes* / isolation & purification
  • Diterpenes* / pharmacology
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Molecular Structure
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plasmids / drug effects*
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Wood

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Benzopyrans
  • Bridged-Ring Compounds
  • Diterpenes
  • Plant Extracts
  • caesalpin J
  • brazilin