title: The biological activities of trichosanthin after coupling to dextran.
abstract: 1. The major biological and pharmacological activities of trichosanthin (TCS) were retained after its covalent coupling to dextran T40. The potency and toxicity was generally reduced. 2. A dose of TCS as low as 0.02 mg/25 g induced 100% mid-term abortion whereas 20 times as much dextran-trichosanthin (DX-TCS) is required to produce the same effect. 3. A third of the mice died at a TCS dose of 0.1 mg/25 g but 4 times as much DX-TCS did not cause any death. 4. DX-TCS suppressed Con A or PHA induced lymphocyte transformation in a dose dependent manner. The potency was decreased as compared to TCS. 5. Both TCS and DX-TCS exhibited a cytostatic effect on cultured tumour cells (PU5 and hepatoma), the former being more potent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Tam
mesh_terms: D000019:Abortifacient Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003911:Dextrans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008934:Mitogens / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D015978:Trichosanthin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D000019:Abortifacient Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003911:Dextrans; D008934:Mitogens; D015978:Trichosanthin