Abstract
The ability of fifteen cycloartanes, isolated from Euphorbia species, to reverse multidrug resistance (MDR) and apoptosis induction in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells, including its multidrug-resistant subline, was studied by flow cytometry. Reversion of MDR was investigated using a standard functional assay with rhodamine 123 as a fluorescent substrate analogue. For the evaluation of apoptosis, the cells were stained with FITC-labeled annexin V and propidium iodide. The majority of the compounds were able to reverse MDR of the tested human MDR1 gene-transfected mouse lymphoma cells. Some of the compounds were able to induce moderate apoptosis in the PAR cell line, but this effect was less effective on multidrug-resistant cells. The results indicate that cycloartanes can be substrates of ABC transporters, which might compete with certain anticancer chemotherapeutics.
Footnotes
- Received October 10, 2003.
- Accepted February 2, 2004.
- Copyright© 2004 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved