Effects of strychnopentamine on cells cultured in vitro.
This paper describes the powerful cytotoxic action exerted by strychnopentamine (SP), a dimeric indole alkaloid extracted from Strychnos usambarensis Gilg, on B16 melanoma cells and on non-cancer human fibroblasts cultured in vitro. SP strongly inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell death at a relatively low concentration (less than 1 microgram/ml) after 72 h of treatment in the two lines. Incorporation of [3H]thymidine and [3H]leucine by B16 cells significantly decreases after only 1 h of treatment at 0.5 microgram/ml. SP induces the formation of dense lamellar bodies and vacuolization in the cytoplasm, intense blebbing at the cell surface and various cytological alterations leading to cell death.
Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, University of Liége, Belgium.
J
J
Quetin-Leclercq
M C
MC
De Pauw-Gillet
L
L
Angenot
R
R
Bassleer
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008940:Mitotic Index / Q000187:drug effects
D000470:Alkaloids; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C045110:strychnopentamine