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Umbelliferous medicinal plants, such as Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa and Angelica dahurica Bentham et Hooker filius ex Franchet et Savatier, account for a large percentage of crude drug consumption in Japan. The most serious problem in the cultivation of umbelliferous medicinal plants is the feeding damage caused by the common yellow swallowtail (Papilio machaon hippocrates C. & R. Felder, 1864). When we compared the numbers of eggs laid by P. machaon on six umbelliferous medicinal plants, the eggs on A. acutiloba, A. dahurica, and Glehnia littoralis Fr. Schmidt ex Miquel were the most numerous, those on Saposhnikovia divaricata Schischkin and Cnidium officinale Makino were rare, and Bupleurum falcatum Linné was not oviposited at all. To identify oviposition inhibitors for P. machaon in B. falcatum, S. divaricata, and C. officinale, the volatile chemical constituents of these umbelliferous medicinal plants were compared with GC-MS. We carried out multivariate analysis of gas chromatographic data and concluded that germacrene D, α-humulene, and trans-caryophyllene play important roles in protecting plants from oviposition by P. machaon. Their oviposition repellent activity was confirmed by the fact that the number of eggs laid on the leaves around a repellent device containing a mixture of germacrene D, α-humulene, and trans-caryophyllene was reduced by 40% compared to a control.

In the course of our search for anticancer agents based on a novel anti-austerity strategy, we found that the CHCl3 extract of the roots of Aflamomum melegueta (Zingiberaceae), collected in the Democratic Republic of Congo, killed PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells preferentially in nutrient-deprived medium (NDM). Phytochemical investigation of the CHCl3 extract led to the isolation of seven known compounds [(-)-buplerol (1), (-)-arctigenin (2), (E)-14-hydroxy-15-norlabda-8(17),12-dien-16-al (3), labda-8(17),12-dien-15,16-dial (4), 16-oxo-8(17),12(E)-labdadien-15-oic acid (5), 5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavone (6), and apigenin (7)]. In addition to the previously reported preferentially cytotoxic compound, (-)-arctigenin (2, PC50 0.5 μM), (-)-buplerol (1) also displayed potent preferential cytotoxicity with a PC50 value of 8.42 μM and triggered apoptosis-like PANC-1 cell death in NDM.

We screened water and methanol extracts of 28 Indonesian medicinal plants for their protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitory activities. Nine water extracts, i.e., Alstonia scholaris leaf, Blumea balsamifera, Cinnamomum burmannii, Cymbopogon nardus, Melaleuca leucadendra, Phyllanthus niruri, Piper nigrum, Syzygium aromaticum, and Sy. polyanthum, exhibited ≥70 % inhibition at 25 μg/mL, whereas 11 methanol extracts, i.e., Als. scholaris, Andrographis paniculata, B. balsamifera, Ci. burmannii, Curcuma heyneana, Glycyrrhiza glabra, M. leucadendra, Punica granatum, Rheum palmatum, Sy. polyanthum, and Z. aromaticum, exhibited ≥70 % inhibition at 25 μg/mL. Water extracts of B. balsamifera (IC50, 2.26 μg/mL) and M. leucadendra (IC50, 2.05 μg/mL), and methanol extracts of Ci. burmannii (IC50, 2.47 μg/mL), Pu. granatum (IC50, 2.40 μg/mL), and Sy. polyanthum (IC50, 1.03 μg/mL) exhibited strong inhibitory activity, which was comparable with that of the positive control, RK-682 (IC50, 2.05 μg/mL). The PTP1B inhibitory activity of the constituents of Ci. burmannii and Z. aromaticum was then evaluated. 5'-Hydroxy-5-hydroxymethyl-4″,5″-methylenedioxy-1,2,3,4-dibenzo-1,3,5-cycloheptatriene (2; IC50, 29.7 μM) and trans-cinnamaldehyde (5; IC50, 57.6 μM) were the active constituents of Ci. burmannii, while humulatrien-5-ol-8-one (21; IC50, 27.7 μM), kaempferol-3,4'-di-O-methyl ether (32; IC50, 17.5 μM), and (S)-6-gingerol (33; IC50, 28.1 μM) were those of Z. aromaticum. These results suggest that these medicinal plants may contribute to the treatment and/or prevention of type II diabetes and/or obesity through PTP1B inhibition.

During a search for potent anticancer agents from natural products based on an anti-austerity strategy, we found that a CHCl3 extract of Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii (Qianghuo), a Chinese crude drug, exhibited strong cytotoxicity against PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells, with a PC₅₀ value of 17.5 µg/mL. Further fractionation and purification of this bioactive extract led to the isolation of 19 known compounds. The in vitro preferential cytotoxicity of the isolates was evaluated against two human pancreatic cancer cell lines, PANC-1 and PSN-1. Among the compounds isolated, ostruthin displayed the most potent activity against both PANC-1 (PC₅₀, 7.2 µM) and PSN-1 (PC₅₀, 7.8 µM) cells in nutrient-deprived medium (NDM) and may have induced necrotic nutrient-deprived PANC-1 cell death., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Human pancreatic cancer is known to be the most deadly disease with the lowest 5-year survival rate and is resistant to well known conventional chemotherapeutic drugs in clinical use. Screening of medicinal plants from Myanmar utilizing antiausterity strategy led to the identification of Vitex negundo as one of the medicinal plants having potent preferential cytotoxic activity against PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells. Bioactivity-guided phytochemical investigation led to the isolation of chrysoplenetin (1) and chrysosplenol D (2) as the active constituents with a PC(50) value of 3.4 μg/mL and 4.6 μg/mL, respectively, against PANC-1 cells. Both these compounds induced apoptosis-like morphological changes in PANC-1 cells. Chrysoplenetin was further tested against a panel of 39 human cancer cell lines (JFCR-39) at the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, and 25 cell lines belonging to lung, breast, CNS, colon, melanoma, ovarian, prostate cancer and stomach cancer cell lines were found to be highly sensitive to chrysoplenetin at a submicromolar range. In the JFCR-39 panel, lung NCI-H522, ovarian OVCAR-3 and prostate PC-3 cells were found to be most sensitive with GI(50) of 0.12, 0.18 and 0.17 μm, respectively. The COMPARE analysis suggested that the molecular mode of action of chrysoplenetin was unique compared with the existing anticancer drugs., (Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

In order to find antiosteoporotic agents from natural resources, 32 Indonesian medicinal plants were screened for their effects on osteoblast differentiation by using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cells as a marker. From the extract of Barleria lupulina, which showed the most potent activity, 13 iridoid glucosides, including three new ones [8-O-acetylipolamiidic acid (1), 8-O-acetyl-6-O-(p-methoxy-cis-cinnamoyl)shanzhiside (2), and 8-O-acetyl-6-O-(p-methoxy-trans-cinnamoyl)shanzhiside (3)] were identified. Among the 13 iridoid glucosides, ipolamiide (4) showed the most potent activity in a dose-dependent manner.

Ten new structurally diverse quassinoids (1-10) and 14 known compounds were isolated from the stems of Eurycoma longifolia. The new compounds were two eurycomanone-type C(20) quassinoids (1, 2), one klaineanone-type C(20) quassinoid (3), one C(19) quassinoid (4) with a 1,2-seco-1-nor-6(5-->10)-abeo-picrasan-2,5-olide skeleton, and six eurycomalactone-type C(19) quassinoids (5-10). Compounds 5 and 6 both possessed a 3,4-epoxy group observed for the first time in eurycomalactones. Compound 1 had an alpha-oriented OH group at C-14 that had not been reported previously in eurycomanone-type quassinoids. All of the isolates were evaluated for cytotoxicity toward the highly metastatic HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cell line, and compounds 11, 23, and 24 showed potent cytotoxicity (IC(50) values 0.93-1.1 microM).

A CHCl3-soluble fraction of 70% EtOH extract of the flower of Kayea assamica from Myanmar exhibited 100% preferential cytotoxicity (PC(100)) against human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells under nutrient-deprived conditions at 1 microg/mL. Bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation afforded nine new coumarins, kayeassamins A (8), B (9), and C-I (1-7), together with nine known coumarins (10-18). The structures of these compounds were identified by extensive spectroscopic techniques as well as by comparison with published data. Absolute configuration at C-1' of 1 was established as S-configuration by the modified Mosher method. All the isolates were evaluated for their in vitro preferential cytotoxicity using novel anti-austerity strategy. Among them, the novel coumarins, kayeassamins A (8), B (9), D (2), E (3), and G (5) exhibited the most potent preferential cytotoxicity (PC(100) 1 microM) in a concentration- and time-dependent manner and induced apoptosis-like morphological changes of PANC-1 cells within 24 h of treatment. Based on the observed cytotoxicity, structure-activity relationships have been established.

The chloroform extract of rhizomes of Boesenbergia pandurata demonstrated marked preferential cytotoxicity against human pancreatic PANC-1 cancer cells in nutrient-deprived medium. Bioactivity-directed investigation of this extract yielded four new secondary metabolites, geranyl-2,4-dihydroxy-6-phenethylbenzoate ( 1), 2',4'-dihydroxy-3'-(1''-geranyl)-6'-methoxychalcone ( 2), (1' R,2' S,6' R)-2-hydroxyisopanduratin A ( 3), and (2 R)-8-geranylpinostrobin ( 4), and twenty known compounds ( 5- 24). Among the known compounds, (2 S)-6-geranylpinostrobin ( 5), (+/-)-6-methoxypanduratin A ( 6), and (2 S)-7,8-dihydro-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-(4''-methyl-3''-pentenyl)-8-phenyl-2 H,6 H-benzo[1,2- b:5,4- b']dipyran-6-one ( 7) were isolated for the first time from a natural source. The structures of these compounds were elucidated using extensive spectroscopic techniques including CD measurements. All the isolated compounds showed varying degrees of in vitro preferential cytotoxicity against PANC-1 cells. Nicolaioidesin B ( 11) and panduratin A ( 17) were most potent, each showing a PC 100 at 2.5 microM.

Thirty samples of Indonesian medicinal plants were tested for their mechanism-based inhibition on cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and CYP2D6 via erythromycin N-demethylation and dextromethorphan O-demethylation activities in human liver microsomes. From screening with 0 and 20min preincubation at 0.5mg/ml of methanol extracts, five plants (Cinnamomum burmani bark, Foeniculum vulgare seed, Strychnos ligustrina wood, Tinospora crispa stem, and Zingiber cassumunar rhizome) showed more than 30% increase of CYP3A4 inhibition, while three (Alpinia galanga rhizome, Melaleuca leucadendron leaf, and Piper nigrum fruit) showed more than 30% increase of CYP2D6 inhibition. In these eight plants, Foeniculum vulgare seed, Cinnamomum burmani bark, and Strychnos ligustrina wood showed time-dependent inhibition on CYP3A4 and Piper nigrum fruit and Melaleuca leucadendron leaf on CYP2D6. Among these, four plants other than Melaleuca leucadendron revealed NADPH-dependent inhibition. Thus, Foeniculum vulgare, Cinnamomum burmani, and Strychnos ligustrina should contain mechanism-based inhibitors on CYP3A4 and Piper nigrum contain that on CYP2D6.

The CH2Cl2 extract of the seed kernels of Caesalpinia crista, which exhibited promising antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei-infected mice in vivo, was examined and resulted in the isolation of seven new furanocassane-type diterpenes [caesalpinins C-G (1-5) and norcaesalpinins D and E (6, 7)] together with norcaesalpinins A-C (8-10) and 11 known compounds (norcaesalpinins A-C, 2-acetoxy-3-deacetoxycaesaldekarin e, caesalmin B, caesaldekarin e, caesalpin F, 14(17)-dehydrocaesalpin F, 2-acetoxycaesaldekarin e, 7-acetoxybonducellpin C, and caesalmin G). Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. The isolated diterpenes showed significant dose-dependent inhibitory effects on Plasmodium falciparum FCR-3/A2 growth in vitro. Their IC50 values ranged from 90 nM to 6.5 microM, and norcaesalpinin E (7) showed the most potent inhibitory activity (IC50, 90 nM).

The EtOAc-soluble fraction of the water extract of Piper cubeba, having shown potent inhibitory activity on the metabolism mediated by CYP3A4, was subjected to activity-guided isolation to yield two new lignans, (8R,8'R)-4-hydroxycubebinone (1) and (8R,8'R,9'S)-5-methoxyclusin (2), and two new sesquiterpenes, (5 alpha,8 alpha)-2-oxo-1(10),3,7(11)-guaiatrien-12,8-olide (3) and (1 alpha,2 beta,5 alpha,8 alpha 10 alpha)-1,10-epoxy-2-hydroxy-3,7(11)-guaiadien-12,8-olide (4), along with 16 known compounds (5-20). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical analyses. The isolated compounds were tested for their inhibitory activity on the metabolism mediated by CYP3A4 or CYP2D6 using [N-methyl-(14)C]erythromycin or [O-methyl-(14)C]dextromethorphan as a substrate, respectively. The compounds (8R,8'R,9'S)-5-methoxyclusin (2), (-)-clusin (10), (-)-yatein (13), ethoxyclusin (15), and (-)-dihydroclusin (17), having one methylenedioxyphenyl moiety in their structures, showed very potent and selective inhibitory activity against CYP3A4 with IC(50) values (0.44-1.0 microM) identical to that of the positive control, ketoconazole (IC(50), 0.72 microM).

From the CH(2)Cl(2) extract of seed kernels of Caesalpinia crista from Myanmar, five new cassane-type diterpenes, caesalpinins MA-ME (1-5), and three new norcassane-type diterpenes, norcaesalpinins MA-MC (6-8), have been isolated, together with 12 known cassane-type diterpenes, 14(17)-dehydrocaesalmin F, caesaldekarin e, caesalmin B, caesalmin C, caesalmin E, 2-acetoxy-3-deacetoxycaesaldekarin e, 2-acetoxycaesaldekarin e, caesalpinin C, 7-acetoxybonducellpin C, caesalpinin E, norcaesalpinin B, and 6-acetoxy-3-deacetoxycaesaldekarin e. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by analysis of their spectroscopic data.

Among 288 extracts, prepared from 96 medicinal plants used in Vietnamese traditional medicine to treat gout and related symptoms, 188 demonstrated xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity at 100 microg/ml, with 46 having greater than 50% inhibition. At 50 microg/ml, 168 of the extracts were active, with 21 possessing more than 50% inhibition. At 25 microg/ml, 146 extracts exhibited inhibitory activity, with 8 showing over 50% inhibition, while 126 extracts presented activity at 10 microg/ml, with 2 having greater than 50% inhibition. The MeOH extracts of Artemisia vulgaris, Caesalpinia sappan (collected at the Seven-Mountain area), Blumea balsamifera (collected in Lam Dong province), Chrysanthemum sinense and MeOH-H(2)O extract of Tetracera scandens (Khanh Hoa province) exhibited strong XO inhibitory activity with IC(50) values less than 20 microg/ml. The most active extract was the MeOH extract of the flower of C. sinense with an IC(50) value of 5.1 microg/ml. Activity-guided fractionation of the MeOH extract led to the isolation of caffeic acid (1), luteolin (2), eriodictyol (3), and 1,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (4). All these compounds showed significant XO inhibitory activity in a concentration-dependent manner, and the activity of 2 was more potent (IC(50) 1.3 microM) than the clinically used drug, allopurinol (IC(50) 2.5 microM).

Three new sesquiterpenes, (2R,3S,5R)-2,3-epoxy-6,9-humuladien-5-ol-8-one (1), (2R,3R,5R)-2,3-epoxy-6,9-humuladien-5-ol-8-one (2), and (5R)-2,6,9-humulatrien-5-ol-8-one (3), and two new flavonol glycosides, kaempferol-3-O-(2,3-di-O-acetyl-alpha-l-rhamnopyranoside) (4) and kaempferol-3-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-l-rhamnopyranoside) (5), were isolated from the EtOAc-soluble fraction of the water extract of Zingiber aromaticum, along with 13 known compounds (6-18). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical analyses. The isolated compounds were tested for their inhibitory activity on the metabolism mediated by CYP3A4 or CYP2D6 using [N-methyl-(14)C]erythromycin or [O-methyl-(14)C]dextromethorphan as a substrate, respectively. Kaempferol-3-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-l-rhamnopyranoside) (5) showed the most potent inhibitory activity (IC(50), 14.4 microM) on the metabolism mediated by CYP3A4, and kaempferol-3-O-methyl ether (14) inhibited CYP2D6 most potently (IC(50), 4.63 microM).

From the MeOH extract of Taiwanese Orthosiphon stamineus, two new staminane-type diterpenes, staminols C (1) and D (2), and three new isopimarane-type diterpenes, orthosiphonone C (3) and D (4) and 14-deoxo-14-O-acetylorthosiphol Y (5), have been isolated together with 16 known diterpenes, orthosiphols A, B, D, K, M, N, O, X, and Y, nororthosiphonolide A, neoorthosiphol B, orthosiphonone A, secoorthosiphols B and C, 3-O-deacetylorthosiphol I, and 2-O-deacetylorthosiphol J. Their structures were determined on the basis of the spectroscopic data. All the newly isolated diterpenes exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophage-like J774.1 cells, and 2-O-deacetylorthosiphonone A showed the most potent activity, with an IC(50) value of 35.0 microM, comparable to that of the positive control N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; IC(50), 35.7 microM).

The hepatoprotective effect of taxiresinol ( 1) and (7' R)-7'-hydroxylariciresinol ( 2), two tetrahydrofuran-type lignans isolated from the wood of Taxus yunnanensis, were investigated on D-galactosamine ( D-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hepatic liver injury in mice. Pre-administration of 1 or 2 at doses of 50 and 10 mg/kg ( i. p.) at 12 and 1 h before D-GalN/LPS injection significantly inhibited hepatocyte DNA fragmentation and apoptotic body formation. Pre-treatment of these two lignans further suppressed hepatic necrosis which occur at later stage of D-GalN/LPS intoxication as demonstrated by the significant and dose-dependent reduction in serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (sGPT) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (sGOT) at 8 h after intoxication. The elevation of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- alpha) level by D-GalN/LPS toxication was significantly inhibited by 1 or 2 at doses of 50 and 10 mg/kg. Moreover, both of these lignans significantly protected hepatocytes from D-GalN/TNF- alpha-induced cell death in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes. These results suggested that 1 and 2 had protected the hepatocytes from apoptosis via an inhibition of TNF- alpha production by activated macrophages and a direct inhibition of apoptosis induced by TNF- alpha in D-GalN/LPS-treated mice.

The methanolic extract of roots of Streptocaulon juventas, having shown strong antiproliferative activity against the highly metastatic human HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cell line, was subjected to activity-guided isolation to yield 16 cardenolides including five new ones, acovenosigenin A 3-O-beta-digitoxopyranoside (1), digitoxigenin gentiobioside (2), digitoxigenin 3-O-[O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-3-O-acetyl-beta-digitoxopyranoside] (3), digitoxigenin 3-O-[O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-O-beta-digitalopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-cymaropyranoside] (4), and periplogenin 3-O-(4-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-beta-digitalopyranoside) (5), and two new hemiterpenoids, (4R)-4-hydroxy-3-isopropylpentyl beta-rutinoside (6) and (R)-2-ethyl-3-methylbutyl beta-rutinoside (7), together with two known phenylpropanoids and a known phenylethanoid. The isolated cardenolides strongly inhibited the proliferation of the HT-1080 cell line (IC(50) values, 54-1600 nM).

Among 42 extracts, prepared from 14 medicinal plants used in Vietnamese traditional medicine to treat malaria, 24 were found to have antiplasmodial activity by inhibiting the growth of the chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strain FCR-3 with EC(50) values less than 10 microg/ml. Each medicinal plant possessed at least one active extract. The methanol extract of Coscinium fenestratum had the strongest antiplasmodial activity with EC(50) value of 0.5 microg/ml. Activity-guided fractionation led to identification of berberine as the major active constituent.

Ginseng, the underground parts of plants of Panax species, has been used in oriental traditional medicine for centuries. Unfortunately, because of extensive exploitation over thousands of years, the natural source of these species has been almost exhausted. Recently, we have found a wild ginseng growing in Myanmar. Here, by a combination of chemical composition study and gene sequence analysis, we unambiguously demonstrate that the wild ginseng is actually P. zingiberensis, commonly known as ginger ginseng. This ginseng was an indigenous to the southwestern China. However, now it is seriously threatened to brink of extinction and is put on the highest level of protection in China. Therefore, an appropriate protection measure is highly recommended to preserve this valuable resource, since this Myanmar ginseng might turn out to be the last P. zingiberensis, which could ever be seen in the planet.

A water extract of the rhizomes of Dioscorea spongiosa, which showed antiosteoporotic activity, was examined, and four new pregnane glycosides, named spongipregnolosides A-D (1-4), and two new cholestane glycosides, named spongiosides A (5) and B (6), were isolated together with 15 known glycosides. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods. Among the isolated compounds, spongioside A (5), hypoglaucin G (7), methylprotodioscin (8), and (R)-oct-1-en-3-yl O-alpha-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->6)-alpha-d-glucopyranoside (9) showed potent inhibition against bone resorption induced by parathyroid hormone in a bone organ culture system.

A methanolic extract of Orthosiphon stamineus yielded six new highly oxygenated isopimarane-type diterpenes, orthosiphols U-Z (1-6), and 15 previously reported diterpenes. The isolated diterpenes all showed significant dose-dependent inhibitory effects on the nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophage-like J774.1 cells. Orthosiphols A (7), B (8), D (9), and X (4) showed more potent inhibitory activities than a positive control, N(G)-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA), and 1 displayed the strongest activity with an IC(50) value of 6.4 microM.

Every country has its own traditional medicine system originated from ancient times. Vietnam, a Southeast Asian country, has a unique traditional medicine system. Several medicinal plants are still used by different ethnic societies of Vietnam for treating several diseases due to their easy availability. Combretum quadrangulare, Panax vietnamensis (Vietnamese Ginseng), Dracaena angustifolia (Nam Ginseng) and Orthosiphon stamineus are among the popular medicinal plants used in Vietnamese traditional medicine for curing various diseases and to improve physical strength. In this review article, we discuss the chemical analysis as well as biological activities of these Vietnamese medicinal plants in order to establish the relation between their therapeutic uses and scientific findings.

Three new C-14 oxygenated taxane-type diterpenes, hongdoushans A-C (1-3), were isolated from the wood of Taxus yunnanensis together with four known diterpenes and two lignans. The absolute stereochemistry of the 2-methylbutyryloxy group attached at C-14 of the taxane skeleton was determined to be S by GC analysis of the methyl ester of 2-methylbutyric acid obtained after alkaline hydrolysis of 1 and 4 followed by treatment with CH(2)N(2). The complete stereostructure of the known compound 2alpha,5alpha,10beta-triacetoxy-14beta-[(S)-2-methylbutyryloxy]-4(20),11-taxadiene (4) was established for the first time. The isolates obtained were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity toward murine colon 26-L5 carcinoma and human HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cell lines.

Methanol, methanol-water (1:1) and water extracts were prepared from seventy-seven Vietnamese medicinal plants and tested for their antiproliferative activities against human HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells. Among them, fifteen extracts including seven methanol extracts of Caesalpinia sappan, Catharanthus roseus, Coscinium fenestratum, Eurycoma longifolia, Hydnophytum formicarum and Streptocaulon juventas (collected at two areas), six methanol-water (1:1) extracts of Cae. sappan, Cat. roseus, Co. fenestratum, H. formicarum and S. juventas (at two areas), and two water extracts of Cae. sappan and S. juventas exhibited antiproliferative activities in a concentration-dependent manner. Their antiproliferative activities against human cervix HeLa adenocarcinoma, human lung A549 adenocarcinoma, murine colon 26-L5 carcinoma, murine Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) and murine B16-BL6 melanoma cells were then examined. Co. fenestratum showed selective activity against lung carcinoma and/or lung metastatic cell lines, A549, LLC and B16-BL6, while H. formicarum and S. juventas showed selective activity against human tumor cell lines, HeLa and A549. Characteristic morphological change and DNA fragmentation indicated the antiproliferative activity to be due to the induction of apoptosis.