Phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids from Vincetoxicum pumilum

Growth Inhibition and Apoptosis Induction by Vincetoxicum pumilum Decne. on HL-60 and K562 Leukemic Cell Lines

“…As noted earlier, V. pumilum contains a myriad of constituents, including phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids, that have been postulated as imparting the cytotoxic properties seen in other members of the genus (15)(16)(17). As noted in Staerk et al (2005) (16), "it has been shown that the toxicity of phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids is due to inhibition of protein and nucleic acid synthesis."…”

“…As several anti-cancer phytochemicals can alter the function of key molecules regulating programmed cell death, plants with apoptosismodulating potential may ultimately prove useful as new chemotherapeutics (23). Considering the data on the in vitro cytotoxic activity of phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids from V. hirundinaria (16,17) and the chemical similarity among plants in this genus, V. pumilum was chosen for investigation of potential cytotoxic and apoptotic properties. To our knowledge, there are no reports to date in the literature about these effects of V. pumilum.…”

“…As noted in Staerk et al (2005) (16), "it has been shown that the toxicity of phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids is due to inhibition of protein and nucleic acid synthesis." Among the various agents in the methanol extract and the n-hexane/CH 2 Cl 2 fractions, it is likely that the alkaloids (-)-13a-α-antofine, (-)-10b,13a-α-antofine N-oxide, and (-)-14β-hydroxy-10β,13a-α-antofine N-oxide were the major components responsible for the effects observed in this study on cell viability in general and apoptosis induction in particular.…”

“…(12), flavonoid heterosides of V. officinale Moench (13), heterosides of quercetin from V. officinale (14), phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids from V. pumilum (15), and phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids and N-oxide alkaloids from V. hirundinaria Medik. (16) are among the multiple classes of compounds associated with species of the genus Vincetoxicum. Some of these agents have been thought responsible for the observed cytotoxic properties.…”

“…For example, in vitro studies revealed that both phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids and N-oxide alkaloids from V. hirundinaria (Cynanchum vincetoxicum Pers.) were responsible for the cytotoxic effects observed against cancer cells (16,17).…”