title: Evaluation of the purified fraction of Wilbrandia (c.f.) verticillata for antitumour activity.
abstract: Cucurbitacins are known to produce cytotoxic and anticancer activities. Two novel norcucurbitacin glucosides (Wv1 and Wv2) have recently been isolated from a purified fraction obtained from the rhizome of Wilbrandia verticillata. The present study evaluates the cytotoxic and antitumour activities of these norcucurbitacins. We have found a regular cytotoxicity in KB cells (Cy50 = 12 micrograms/ml) as well as a significant inhibition in the Walker 256 carcinosarcoma growth (approximately 75%).
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, UFC, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.
authors.forename: V S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Moraes
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Moraes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001938:Brazil; D002279:Carcinoma 256, Walker / Q000188:drug therapy*; D054728:Cucurbitacins; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D006801:Humans; D007624:KB Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D014315:Triterpenes; D054728:Cucurbitacins