title: Antiproliferative and antimicrobial activities of alkylbenzoquinone derivatives from Ardisia kivuensis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Medicinal plants are continuously screened for their pharmacological properties. Despite the diversity and the numerous phytochemicals found in Ardisia (Myrsinaceae) species, its full biological potential has not been fully explored.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Four naturally occurring alkylbenzoquinone derivatives, namely ardisiaquinone N (1), ardisiaquinone J (2), ardisiaquinone K (3) and a mixture of ardisiaquinone P (4) and K (3) from Ardisia kivuensis Taton (Myrsinaceae) were investigated in vitro for their cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the broth micro-dilution assay. Tumor cells growth inhibition was performed by sulphorhodamine B (SRB) assay while sub-diploid DNA fraction was measured by flow cytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compounds 1, 2 and 3 showed significant antimicrobial activity against two Gram-positive bacteria and one fungus (with MICs varying between 3.12 and 6.25 µg/ml). The four compounds exhibited remarkable antiproliferative activity against the leukemia cell line TPH-1 with IC₅₀ inhibition values between 2 and 2.1 µg/ml. Cytotoxic activity was found to be related to apoptosis induction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that natural compounds herein studied are interesting potential candidates for the development of new therapeutic agents, especially against leukemia and Gram-positive bacterial infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang , Cameroon .
authors.forename: Dzoyem J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Ndontsa B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Laure
authors.forename: Santosh K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Guru
authors.forename: Inshad A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Saxena K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ajit
authors.forename: Ram A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Vishwakarma
authors.forename: Tane
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pierre
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D031644:Ardisia / Q000737:chemistry*; D016227:Benzoquinones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D016227:Benzoquinones; D010936:Plant Extracts