The relationship between radical intensity and biological activity of cacao husk extracts was investigated. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy demonstrated that the radical intensity of hexane, acetone, methanol and 70% methanol extracts increased with water-solubility. Several fractions of these husk extracts, separated by different column chromatographies, significantly inhibited the cytopathic effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in parallel with their radical intensity. However, their cytotoxic activity against human leukemic and carcinoma cell lines is not always correlated with their radical intensity. Water-soluble and lipophilic compounds might induce cytotoxic activity by different mechanisms.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Plasmid elimination and immunomodulation by 3-benzazepines in vitro.

For studying the mechanisms of biological activity on 3-benzazepines, antimicrobial effect, F'lac plasmid elimination activity (a plasmid curing effect on F'lac plasmid) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) test were performed. A weak antiplasmid effect was found at sub-inhibitory concentrations. A combination of [KF4] with verapamil [2] did not alter the ineffectivity, however, [KF4] could inhibit the antiplasmid effect of promethazine, as compared to the control (promethazine alone) plasmid curing effect. A competition between promethazine and [KF4] might exist in plasmid elimination effect. ADCC activity of human leukocytes was enhanced by KF1, KF2, KF3, DA and NE at 1.0 microgram/mL concentrations. The majority of 3-benzazepines [KS02, KM57, KN50, KE04, KI10, KP80] was ineffective for plasmid curing, however, inhibited the ADCC reaction, but they did not show a real dose-dependent effect.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

3,5-diacetyl-1,4-dihydropyridines: synthesis and MDR reversal in tumor cells.

Eleven 4-phenyl-3,5-diacetyl-1,4-dihydropyridines (AcDHPs) [G1-11] substituted at the phenyl ring were synthesized and compared for their cytotoxic activity and multidrug resistance (MDR)-reversing activity in in vitro assay systems. Among them, compound [G7] showed the highest cytotoxic activity against human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 and human squamous cell carcinoma HSC-2 cells. However, no compounds tested produced radicals at pH 7.4-12.5. The activity of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) responsible for MDR in tumor cells was reduced by compounds [G2, 3, 6, 5, 8, 1, 11], verapamil [VP] and nifedipine [NP]. However, compounds [G4, 7, 10] were hardly active while G9 did not show a MDR reversing effect at 2.0-20.0 micrograms/mL. These data show a relationship between chemical structures and MDR-reversing effect on tumor cells.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Selective cytotoxic activity of grape peel and seed extracts against oral tumor cell lines.

Grape seed extracts were more cytotoxic than grape peel extracts. Methanol and 70% methanol extracts of grape seed selectively killed two human oral tumor cell lines, more efficiently than human gingival fibroblasts. ESR spectroscopy revealed that these extracts produced radicals under alkaline conditions and enhanced the radical intensity of sodium ascorbate at higher concentrations. On the other hand, lower concentration of these extracts slightly reduced the radical intensity of sodium ascorbate, and scavenged superoxide anion, generated by hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase reaction. These properties of grape seed extracts suggest their possible application for cancer prevention.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗