Aloe-emodin is a new type of anticancer agent with selective activity against neuroectodermal tumors.
Here we report that aloe-emodin (AE), a hydroxyanthraquinone present in Aloe vera leaves, has a specific in vitro and in vivo antineuroectodermal tumor activity. The growth of human neuroectodermal tumors is inhibited in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency without any appreciable toxic effects on the animals. The compound does not inhibit the proliferation of normal fibroblasts nor that of hemopoietic progenitor cells. The cytotoxicity mechanism consists of the induction of apoptosis, whereas the selectivity against neuroectodermal tumor cells is founded on a specific energy-dependent pathway of drug incorporation. Taking into account its unique cytotoxicity profile and mode of action, AE might represent a conceptually new lead antitumor drug.
Pecere
T
T
Department of Histology, Microbiology, and Medical Biotechnologies, Medical School, University of Padova, Italy.
Gazzola
M V
MV
Mucignat
C
C
Parolin
C
C
Vecchia
F D
FD
Cavaggioni
A
A
Basso
G
G
Diaspro
A
A
Salvato
B
B
Carli
M
M
Palù
G
G
D000818:Animals; D000880:Anthraquinones; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004642:Emodin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008956:Models, Chemical; D017599:Neuroectodermal Tumors / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000880:Anthraquinones; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; C059635:aloe emodin anthrone; C518327:aloe emodin; D004642:Emodin