title: Effects of elm bark extracts from Ulmus laevis on human chorion carcinoma cell lines.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The potential of substances from elm bark extracts to affect cancer has been described in several studies. In this study, the anticancer effects of extracts from Ulmus laevis bark were tested in hormone-dependent gynecological tumours using human chorion carcinoma cell lines.
  
  
  METHODS
  The molecular-chemical composition of the bark extract was analysed by pyrolysis-field ionisation mass spectrometry. The influence of the extracts was determined on cell vitality and cytotoxicity in the human chorion carcinoma cell lines Jeg3 and BeWo in comparison with primary trophoblast cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The elm bark extract was mainly composed of triterpenes, phytosterols, free fatty acids and suberins with lower amounts of dilignols and lipids. The elm bark extract significantly inhibited the vitality of Jeg3 and BeWo cells but increased the vitality of primary trophoblast cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Substances extracted from elm bark might have beneficial effects for the prevention of hormone-dependent tumours.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rostock, Südring 81, 18059 Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Anna-Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: Sibylle
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abarzua
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schlichting
authors.forename: Dagmar-Ulrike
authors.initials: DU
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leinweber
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Briese
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002822:Choriocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D024301:Plant Bark; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D034403:Ulmus; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts