[Comparison of antioxidative and antitumor activities of six flavonoids from Epimedium koreanum].
OBJECTIVE
To study the antioxidative and antitumor activities of flavonoids isolated from Epimedium koreanum.


METHODS
The compounds were separated by column chromatography with silica gel and Sephadex LH-20, and identified by spectral a- nalysis (ESI-MS, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR) respectively. DPPH radical scavenging assay and MTT assay were used to observe the antioxidative and antitumor abilities.


RESULTS
Six compounds were isolated from the the ethyl acetate extract of the aerial part. Their structures were identified as icariin (I), luteolin (II), baohuoside II (III), hyperoside (IV), epimedokoreanin B (V) and baohuoside I (VI). The results indicated that at concentrations of 3. 125-200 micromol x L(-1), compound I, III and VI had no ability to scavenge the DPPH radical, but the scavenging ability of compounds II, IV and V were stronger than that of Vit C in dose-dependant manner. Compounds I, II, V and VI could inhibit the proliferation of MCF-7 and HepG2 in dose-dependant manner, but compounds III and IV had no effect on the proliferation.


CONCLUSIONS
The antitumor activity of E. koreanum may be partially related to the antioxidantive activity of flavonoids.
Wang
Ting
T
Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100094, China.
Zhang
Jin-chao
JC
Chen
Yao
Y
Huang
Feng
F
Yang
Meng-su
MS
Xiao
Pei-gen
PG
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D034181:Epimedium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D047311:Luteolin / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D047311:Luteolin; C056599:icariin