Abstract
Ethanol extract of the seeds of Licaria puchury-major, a Brazilian herbal medicine, was found to inhibit cell proliferation in human leukemia cell line (Jurkat) by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the active components led to the isolation of one phenylpropanoid (1) and ten neolignans (2-11). The apoptosis-inducing activity of the compounds showing cytotoxicity in Jurkat cells was assessed by flow cytometric analysis. Among the identified neolignans, compounds 3, 4, 6 and 7 which have similar molecular structures, showed apoptotic activity. To elucidate the mechanism of apoptosis induction by neolignans, intracellular caspase-3, -8 and -9 activity in Jurkat cells was evaluated. Compound 4 markedly elevated the activity of caspase-3 and -9.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / isolation & purification
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Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology
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Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use*
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Apoptosis / drug effects*
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Caspase 3 / metabolism
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Caspase 8 / metabolism
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Caspase 9 / metabolism
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Cell Proliferation / drug effects
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Humans
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Jurkat Cells
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Lauraceae / chemistry*
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Leukemia / drug therapy*
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Leukemia / pathology
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Lignans / isolation & purification
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Lignans / pharmacology
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Lignans / therapeutic use*
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Molecular Structure
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Phytotherapy*
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Plant Extracts / chemistry
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Plant Extracts / pharmacology
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Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
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Propanols / isolation & purification
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Seeds
Substances
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Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
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Lignans
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Plant Extracts
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Propanols
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1-phenylpropanol
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Caspase 3
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Caspase 8
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Caspase 9