Steroidal saponins from the underground parts of Chlorophytum comosum and their inhibitory activity on tumour promoter-induced phospholipids metabolism of HeLa cells.

Three new spirostanol pentaglycosides embracing beta-D-apiofuranose were isolated from the fresh underground parts of Chlorophytum comosum together with four known saponins. The structures of new compounds were determined by spectroscopic data, including two-dimensional NMR, and partial acid-catalysed hydrolysis to be (25R)-5 alpha-spirostane-2 alpha,3 beta-diol 3-O-[O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl- (1-->2)-O-[O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 -->3)]-O- beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside], (25R)-3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-spirostan-12-one (hecogenin) 3-O-[O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-[O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1- ->4)- beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D- galactopyranoside] and hecogenin 3-O-[O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-[O-beta-D- apiofuranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-O-beta-D-gluc opyranosyl- (1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside], respectively. The isolated saponins were examined for inhibitory activity using 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbor-13-acetate-stimulated 32P-incorporation into phospholipids of HeLa cells as the primary screening test to identify new antitumour-promoter compounds.

Steroidal saponins from the underground parts of Hosta longipes and their inhibitory activity on tumor promoter-induced phospholipid metabolism.

Phytochemical study on the underground parts of Hosta longipes gave six new steroidal saponins together with a known one. The structures of the new compounds were determined by detailed analysis of their 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra including two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, acid-catalyzed hydrolysis followed by chemical correlation, and by comparison with spectral data of known compounds. The isolated saponins and their aglycones were examined for inhibitory activity on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-stimulated 32P-incorporation into phospholipids of HeLa cells to identify new antitumor-promoter compounds.

Structures of steroidal saponins from the tubers of Brodiaea californica and their inhibitory activity on tumor promoter-induced phospholipid metabolism.

Phytochemical examination of the fresh tubers of Brodiaea californica resulted in the isolation of four new steroidal saponins. Their structures were determined, by extensive spectral analysis including two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectroscopy and acid-catalyzed hydrolysis, to be (25S)-spirost-5-ene-1 beta,3 beta-diol [(25S)-ryscogenin] 1-O-[O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)- beta-D-glucopyranoside] (1), (25S)-ruscogenin 1-O-[O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O -[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside] (2), the C-20 and C-22 isomer of 2 (3) and the 6'-O-acetyl derivative of 2 (4), respectively. The conformations of the tetrasaccharide moiety of 2 and 4 were inspected through molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics calculation studies, showing that the acetyl group attached to C-6 of the inner glucose was near the C-21 methyl of the aglycon in the calculated preferred conformation of 4, which must cause the downfield shift of 21-Me by 0.07 ppm in comparing the 1H-NMR of 4 with that of 2. The inhibitory activity of the isolated saponins on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbor-13-acetate (TPA)-stimulated 32P-incorporation into phospholipids of HeLa cells was evaluated to identify new antitumor-promoter compounds.

Inhibitory effects of steroidal saponins on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-enhanced 32P-incorporation into phospholipids of HeLa cells and proliferation of human malignant tumor cells.

Certain Lilium plants contain (25S)-spirost-5-ene-3 beta,27-diol glycosides embracing 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid at the C-27 hydroxy position. One of their derivatives, methyl ester of (25R)-27-O-[(S)-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl]-spirost-5-ene-3 beta,27-diol 3-O-(O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)] - beta-D-glucopyranoside) was found to inhibit 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-stimulated 32P-incorporation into the phospholipids of human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells and also to inhibit the proliferation of various kinds of human malignant tumor cells, pancreatic cancer (PANC-1), osteosarcoma (OST), human gastric cancer (HGC-27), pheochromocytoma (PC-12) and HeLa cells, in vitro.

Steroidal saponins from the bulbs of Lilium longiflorum and their antitumour-promoter activity.

Two new spirostanol saponins and two new furostanol saponins were isolated from the fresh bulbs of Lilium longiflorum together with several known saponins. The structures of new compounds were determined to be (25S)-spirost-5-ene-3 beta, 27-diol 3-O-(O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O- [alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside), (25R)-27-O-[(S)-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl]-spirost-5-ene-3 beta,27 diol 3-O-(O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl -(1-->3)] - beta-D-glucopyranoside), 22-O-methyl-26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(25R)-furost-5-ene-3 beta,22 xi, 26-triol 3-O-(O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-[alpha-L- arabinopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside) and 22-O-methyl-26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(25R)-furost-5-ene-3 beta, zeta, 26-triol 3-O-(O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)- O-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside). The isolated saponins and their derivatives were examined for inhibitory activity on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-stimulated 32P-incorporation into phospholipids of HeLa cells as the primary screening test to find new antitumour-promoter compounds.

Structures of new coumarins and antitumor-promoting activity of coumarins from Angelica edulis.

From the fruits of Angelica edulis Miyabe (Umbelliferae), three new angular furanocoumarins, edulisin III (1), edulisin IV (2), and edulisin V (3), were isolated along with three known coumarins, 2'(S), 3'(R)-3'-isobutyryloxy-4'-acetoxy-2',3'-dihydrooroselol (4), edultin (5), and 2'(S),3'(R)-3'-senecioyloxy-4'-acetoxy-2',3'-dihydrooroselol (6), respectively. The structures of 1 and 2 were established to be 2'(S),3'(R)-3'-(2-methylbutyryloxy)-4'-acetoxy-2',3'-dihydrooro selol and 2'-(S),3'(R)-3'-propyryloxy-4'-acetoxy-2',3'-dihydrooroselol by chemical studies and spectral analyses. Coumarin 3 was proved to be 3'-(2-methylbutyryl-oxy)-4'-angeloyloxy-2',3'-dihydrooroselol++ + by chemical and spectral analyses and H-C COLOC. Coumarins 1-6 were examined for the effects on tumor-promotor induced phenomena in vitro. Among these coumarins, 3 showed the most potent inhibitory activity on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-stimulated 32Pi incorporation into phospholipids of cultured cells.

Hyperthermic intravesical peplomycin perfusion treatment for bladder cancer.

Thirty-three patients with malignant bladder tumours were treated by hyperthermic intravesical perfusion. The study group included 25 patients with superficial T1 bladder tumours, 4 with T2 tumours and 4 with T3 tumours. Physiological saline solution containing 40 micrograms/ml peplomycin with/without 2% ethanol was used as a perfusate. Perfusion was carried out for 2 h 3 times per week and this regimen was repeated every other week, totalling 6 sessions in 3 weeks. Three patients achieved a complete response (CR), 5 a partial response (PR) (more than 50% tumour reduction), 8 a minimal response (MR) (25-50% tumour reduction) and the remaining 17 patients showed no response (NC). Complete, partial and minimal responses were obtained only in patients with T1 tumours. The NC patients included 4 with T2 and 4 with T3 lesions. Profuse haematuria from invasive tumour was markedly reduced after treatment. A major side effect was irritation of the bladder and urethra. Our results indicate that hyperthermic perfusion with ethanol and peplomycin is clinically safe, is accompanied by very little pain and may be useful for the management of superficial bladder tumours in elderly patients.

Inhibitory effects of licochalcone A isolated from Glycyrrhiza inflata root on inflammatory ear edema and tumour promotion in mice.

Licochalcone A, 3-a,a-dimethylallyl-4,4'-dihydroxy-6-methoxychalcone, from the root of Glycyrrhiza inflata Beta (Leguminosae) (Xin-jiang liquorice) showed anti-inflammatory action towards mouse ear edema induced by arachidonic acid (AA) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) by topical application. Anti-tumour promoting action of licochalcone A was also observed in vivo for mouse skin papilloma initiated by dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and promoted by TPA. It inhibited in vitro 32Pi-incorporation to phospholipids in HeLa cells promoted by TPA. A competitive interaction of licochalcone A with the TPA-receptors in the cell membrane has been suggested.

Anti-tumor-promotion by principles obtained from Angelica keiskei.

Potent anti-tumor promoter activity has been found in the nonpolar extracts of the root of "Ashita-Ba", Angelica keiskei Koidz. (Umbelliferae), which is eaten as a vegetable in Japan. From this active fraction, two angular furanocoumarins, archangelicin (1) and 8(S),9(R)-9-angeloyloxy-8,9-dihydrooroselol (2), three linear furanocoumarins, psoralen (3), bergapten (4) and xanthotoxin (5), and three chalcones, 4-hydroxyderricin (6), xanthoangelol (7) and a novel chalcone named ashitaba-chalcone (8), were isolated. Among these compounds, two angular type furanocoumarins, 1 and 2, and three chalcones, 6-8, suppressed 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-stimulated 32Pi-incorporation into phospholipids of cultured cells, whereas coumarins 3-5 were less effective. In addition, chalcones 6 and 7 were proved to have anti-tumor-promoting activity in mouse skin carcinogenesis induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) plus TPA. Since chalcones 6 and 7 showed calmodulin-interacting property, both chalcones may reveal anti-tumor-promoting activity via the modulation of calmodulin involved systems. These chalcones may be useful to develop the effective method for cancer prevention.

Studies on the anti-tumor-promoting activity of naturally occurring substances. IV. Pd-II [(+)anomalin, (+)praeruptorin B], a seselin-type coumarin, inhibits the promotion of skin tumor formation by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-initiated mice.

Since Pd-II [(+)anomalin, (+)praeruptorin B], a seselin-type coumarin, was found to inhibit tumor promoter induced phenomenon in vitro, the effect of Pd-II on the in vivo tumor-promoting action of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-initiated mouse skin was investigated. Pd-II, applied 40 min before the TPA treatment, at a dose of 10 mumol/painting, completely suppressed tumor formation up to 20 weeks of tumor promotion, without any toxicity. Besides Pd-II, various anti-tumor-promoter coumarins were found in the traditional Chinese medicine Qian-Hu, from which Pd-II was obtained. These coumarins may be useful for the development of an effective method to prevent cancer.

Studies on the antitumor-promoting activity of naturally occurring substances. II. Inhibition of tumor-promoter-enhanced phospholipid metabolism by umbelliferous materials.

Ninety-five extracts prepared from 14 kinds of Umbelliferous materials were studied to determine their effects on tumor-promoter-induced phenomena in vitro. Of the materials, 5 Chinese crude drugs, two Bai-Hua Qian-Hu classified as Q-I and Q-II types, the root of Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn., Zi-Hua Qian-Hu, the root of P. decursivum Maxim., Tang-Bai-Zhi, the root of Angelica dahurica Benth, et Hook. var. pai-chi Kimura, Hata et Yen., Dang-Gui, the root of A. acutiloba Kitagawa and 2 Umbelliferous plants, ashita-ba. A. keiskei Koidz., and ama-nyuu, A. edulis Miyabe, showed potent inhibitory effects on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-stimulated 32Pi incorporation into phospholipids of cultured cells. From the active fraction of the crude drug "Tang-Bai-Zhi," imperation (1), isoimperatoin (2), oxypeucedanin (3), pabulenol (4), neobyakangelicol (5) and byakangelicin (6) were identified as active or inactive principles. Compound 4 had not previously been isolated from Tang-Bai-Zhi, A. dahurica var. pai-chi. We also discuss the structure-activity relationship among the above 6 kinds of linear-type furanocoumarins, together with 3 kinds of antitumor-promoter coumarins having the same skeleton, psoralen (7), bergapten (8) and xanthotoxin (9), obtained from "ashita-ba" (eaten as a vegetable in Japan). Among the compounds in the present experiment, compounds 1 and 2 showed potent inhibitory activity at the concentration of 50 micrograms/ml and 3-9 were found to have less or no activity.

[A hyperthermic perfusion therapy using peplomycin and ethanol for bladder cancer].

Distilled water containing 40 micrograms/ml peplomycin and 2% ethanol was used as a perfusate in 8 patients with superficial bladder tumors and 2 with deep bladder tumors for 2 hours at 43 degrees C. In addition, immediately before the perfusion treatment, 5 mg of peplomycin was injected intramuscularly. Prior to treatment, the nature and extent of the tumors were determined by ultrasonography, cystoscopy and cystography. The therapeutic effect of the hyperthermic perfusion was evaluated by the same manner as used previously. Partial tumor regression was obtained in 6 of the 8 patients with superficial bladder tumors. The 2 patients with deep bladder tumors showed no tumor regression. Most of the patients had bladder discomfort such as irritation, pollakisuria and so on, during and/or after perfusion. No patient developed acute pyelonephritis.

The isolation and characterization of a lethal protein from Kintoki beans (Phaseolus vulgaris).

A lethal protein with hemagglutinating activity but without trypsin inhibitory activity was isolated from beans of Phaseolus vulgaris, cultiva, and Kintoki and proved homogeneous by ultracentrifugation, disc polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, sodium dodesyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. The molecular weight was estimated to be 104, 000 by ultracentrifugal analysis and gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. The molecule dissociates into three identical subunits in the presence of 8 M urea or 0.1% sodium dodesyl sulfate. The amino acid composition was characterized by the high content of aspartic acid and the complete absence of methionine and cystine. The carbohydrate content was 8.1%; 5.0% mannose and 3.1% glucosamine. The addition of the lethal protein to a basal diet (0.4%) resulted in the intensive depression of the growth and finally in the death of rats. The intraperitoneal injection of 250 microgram per g body weight of mouse brought about an acute toxicity which caused death of all the injected mice.