Short communication: Chia seed extract enhances physiochemical and antioxidant properties of yogurt.

Yogurt is a healthy dairy food fermented by lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Because consumers demand healthier and more nutritious yogurt, numerous substances have been used to supplement yogurt. Chia seed has been reported to contain abundant phenolic compounds, dietary fiber, and n-3 fatty acids and therefore is a potential functional food additive. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of chia seed extracts on the physicochemical and bioactive properties of set-type yogurt. Yogurt was fortified with chia seed water extract (CSWE) or chia seed ethanol extract (CSEE) at 0.05 or 0.1% (vol/vol). Results showed that supplementation with CSWE or CSEE significantly accelerated the fermentation rate and growth of LAB. Both CSWE and CSEE improved the viscosity, syneresis, and water-holding capacity of yogurt. The radical scavenging activity of yogurt was increased with both extracts, and the 0.1% CSEE yogurt exhibited the highest radical scavenging activity. Furthermore, 0.1% CSEE yogurt significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced production of hydrogen peroxide in human colon cells. Addition of chia seed extract improves the growth of LAB, the physiochemical properties, and the health-beneficial effects of set-type yogurt.

A randomized, multi-center, open-label, phase II study of once-per-cycle DA-3031, a biosimilar pegylated G-CSF, compared with daily filgrastim in patients receiving TAC chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer.

BACKGROUNDS: A pegylated form of recombinant granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) was developed for prophylactic use in breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of once-per-cycle DA-3031 in patients receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. METHODS: A total of 61 patients receiving docetaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (TAC) chemotherapy were randomized in cycle 1 to receive daily injections of filgrastim (100 µg/m(2)) or a single subcutaneous injection of pegylated filgrastim DA-3031 at a dose of either 3.6 mg or 6 mg. RESULTS: The mean duration of grade 4 neutropenia in cycle 1 was comparable among the treatment groups (2.48, 2.20, and 2.05 days for filgrastim, DA-3031 3.6 mg and 6 mg, respectively; P=0.275). No statistically significant differences were observed in the incidence of febrile neutropenia between the treatment groups (9.5 %, 15.0 %, and 5.0 % for filgrastim, DA-3031 3.6 mg and 6 mg, respectively; P=0.681) in cycle 1. The incidences of adverse events attributable to G-CSF were similar among the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Fixed doses of 3.6 mg or 6 mg DA-3031 have an efficacy comparable to that of daily injections of filgrastim in ameliorating grade 4 neutropenia in patients receiving TAC chemotherapy.

Sorafenib in patients with metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors who failed two or more prior tyrosine kinase inhibitors: a phase II study of Korean gastrointestinal stromal tumors study group.

PURPOSE: To evaluated the efficacy and safety of sorafenib in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) who failed to previous standard treatments. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Thirty-one patients with measurable metastatic GIST who failed both imatinib and sunitinib were accrued. Sorafenib was administered orally at 400 mg twice daily until disease progression or development of intolerance. The primary endpoint was disease control rate (response + stable disease, DCR) at 24 weeks. RESULTS: Sorafenib was well tolerated, with hand-foot skin reaction, fatigue, hypertension, and abdominal pain being the most frequent adverse events. The relative dose intensity of sorafenib during the first 6 months was >80%. Four patients achieved partial response (response rate 13%, 95% CI 1-25%), and 16 (52%) had stable disease. DCR at 24 weeks was measured as 36% (95% CI 19-52%). Median progression-free and overall survivals were 4.9 and 9.7 months, respectively. Progression-free survival of patients with prior use of nilotinib (P = .0085) and with primary genotypes other than KIT exon 11 mutation (P = .0341) was significantly shorter than that of patients without. CONCLUSIONS: Sorafenib showed antitumor activity in this population of imatinib and sunitinib pretreated GIST. With sorafenib, about one third of patients can maintain disease control for more than 24 weeks.

Apoptosis-inducing effect of diketopiperazine disulfides produced by Aspergillus sp. KMD 901 isolated from marine sediment on HCT116 colon cancer cell lines.

AIMS: Research is to identify the bioactive secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus sp. KMD 901 isolated from marine sediment and to assess their apoptosis-inducing effects. METHODS AND RESULTS: Aspergillus sp. KMD 901 was isolated from marine sediment obtained from the East Sea of Korea. An ethyl acetate extract of KMD 901 exhibited potent cytotoxic activity towards five cancer cell lines (HCT116, AGS, A549, MCF-7 and HepG2). Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region in this strain allowed us to identify KMD 901 as a strain of Aspergillus versicolor. The cytotoxic compounds from Aspergillus sp. KMD 901 were purified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and identified as diketopiperazine disulfides through spectroscopic analyses including extensive 2D NMR and mass spectrometry. The diketopiperazine disulfides were found to induce apoptosis in HCT116 cells based on cell morphology, DNA fragmentation observed by agarose gel electrophoresis, Annexin-V/PI staining using a flow cytometer and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9 and Bcl-2 family proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Bax) using Western blotting analysis. Further study using an in vivo xenograft model showed inhibitory effects of acetylapoaranotin (2) on tumour proliferation. CONCLUSION: A new diketopiperazine disulfide, deoxyapoaranotin (3), along with previously described acetylaranotin (1) and acetylapoaranotin (2) was separated from Aspergillus sp. KMD 901 and found to have direct cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing effects towards HCT116 colon cancer cell lines. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These results suggest that the diketopiperazine disulfides produced from Aspergillus sp., KMD 901, could be candidates for the development of apoptosis-inducing antitumour agents. Also, this study indicates that marine natural products as potential source of pharmaceuticals.

Feasibility of nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma for intracoronal bleaching.

AIM: To investigate the effect of nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma on intracoronal tooth bleaching in blood stained human teeth. METHODOLOGY: Forty extracted single-root and blood stained human teeth were used. The teeth were randomly divided into two groups (n=20): group 1 received 30% HP activated by nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma in the pulp chamber for 30 min, whilst group 2 received 30% HP alone in the pulp chamber for 30 min. The overall colour changes (ΔE) were assessed using the Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) Lab Colour System. The data were analysed using Student's t-test to determine the significant differences. RESULTS: The temperature of all teeth was maintained at approximately 37 °C during plasma bleaching. The plasma treatment with 30% HP resulted in significantly higher bleaching efficacy compared to 30% HP alone in discoloured teeth (P<0.05). The average ΔE values of group 1 and group 2 were 9.24 (0.37) and 4.47 (1.62), respectively, at 30 min. CONCLUSIONS: The application of nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma to intracoronal bleaching could be a novel and efficient therapy in the bleaching of haemorrhagically stained teeth.

Human amniotic fluid-derived stem cells have characteristics of multipotent stem cells.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize mesenchymal stem cell-like cells isolated from human amniotic fluid for a new source of therapeutic cells. MATERIALS: Fibroblastoid-type cells obtained from amniotic fluid at the time of birth. METHODS: The ability of ex vivo expansion was investigated until senescence, and stem cell-like characteristics were analyzed by examining differentiation potential, messenger RNA expression and immunophenotypes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A morphologically homogenous population of fibroblastoid-type (HAFFTs) cells, similar to mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow (BM-MSCs), was obtained at the third passage. The cells became senescent after 27 passages over a period of 8 months while undergoing 66 population doublings. Under appropriate culture conditions, by the 8th passage they differentiated into adipocytes, osteocytes, chondrocytes and neuronal cells, as revealed by oil red O, von Kossa, Alcian blue and anti-NeuN antibody staining, respectively. Immunophenotype analyses at the 17th passage demonstrated the presence of TRA-1-60; SSEA-3 and-4; collagen types I, II, III, IV and XII; fibronectin; alpha-SMA; vimentin; desmin; CK18; CD44; CD54; CD106; FSP; vWF; CD31; and HLA ABC. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis of the HAFFTs from passages 6-20 showed consistent expression of Rex-1, SCF, GATA-4, vimentin, CK18, FGF-5 and HLA ABC genes. Oct-4 gene expression was observed up to the 19th passage but not at the 20th passage. HAFFTs showed telomerase activity at the 5th passage with a decreased level by the 21st passage. Interestingly, BMP-4, AFP, nestin and HNF-4alpha genes showed differential gene expression during ex vivo expansion. Taken together, these observations suggest that HAFFTs are pluripotent stem cells that are less differentiated than BM-MSCs, and that their gene expression profiles vary with passage number during ex vivo expansion.

Laparoscopic wedge resection for gastric GIST: long-term follow-up results.

AIM: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract. Recently, many investigations have been conducted on various aspects of laparoscopic surgery for gastric GIST. However, no study has provided long-term follow up results of laparoscopic surgery for gastric GIST. The aims of this study were to assess the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic surgery for gastric GIST and to evaluate the oncologic validity of the procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1998 and August 2005, 51 patients with submucosal tumor of the stomach were treated by laparoscopic surgery at our institution. Of 51 patients, 23 patients were confirmed as gastric GIST by immunohistochemistry (CD 117, c-kit gene product). Patients' clinicopathologic characteristics, operative outcomes, postoperative complications, and follow-up findings were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 59.7 years, and 12 patients were women. Twelve patients (47%) presented with epigastric pain. The mean tumor size was 4.2+/-2.1 cm, and most tumors were located in the upper stomach (52.2%). The mean operative time was 104.3 min. No case of open conversion, reoperation and operative mortality occurred in the present study. Most patients had very low and low risk (60.6%), while only two patients had high risk malignancy. During a median follow-up period of 61 months (range, 7-98 months), there have been no recurrences or metastases. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic wedge resection for gastric GIST is safe, and oncologically and technically feasible in the hands of an experienced laparoscopic gastric surgeon.

High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation in extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma: a retrospective comparison with non-transplantation cases.

To determine the role of high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDC/ASCT) in extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma patients, we conducted a retrospective analysis. In our previous study, we searched for patients who had received HDC/ASCT and identified 16 eligible patients and compared the treatment outcome with historical control group (n=246). Nine patients received HDC/ASCT in the first (CR1) or second complete remission (CR2), while seven patients received HDC/ASCT as salvage. Twelve of 16 patients achieved or maintained CR after HDC/ASCT. Among the 12 patients, five patients relapsed. Estimated 2-year overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) rates were 71.3+/-12.4% and 25.8+/-14.3%, respectively. There was a tendency of better survival in patients who received HDC/ASCT as compared to those who did not (P=0.091). In subset analysis, patients who underwent HDC/ASCT at CR (P=0.049) and patients with stage III or IV (P=0.001) had a favorable outcome. Patients with NKIPI 3,4 or EUNKTL, who underwent HDC/ASCT had more prolonged survival without statistical significance (P=0.055 and 0.056). In conclusion, HDC/ASCT may be considered as a treatment option for patients with extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, especially those in CR, with advanced disease (stage III/IV or EUNKTL) and high NKIPI scores.

Effect of pentoxifylline on radiation response of non-small cell lung cancer: a phase III randomized multicenter trial.

PURPOSES: The objectives of this prospective clinical trial were to determine whether pentoxifylline improves the radiation response and survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 1993 through October 1994, 64 patients with histologically confirmed Stage I, II and III non-small cell lung cancer were randomly divided into pentoxifylline (Pento)+Radiotherapy (RT) group and RT alone group. Out of the 64 patients, only 47 patients who had measurable tumors on chest X-ray views were analyzed and divided into Pento+RT group (n=27) and RT alone group (n=20). Total tumor dose of 65-70 Gy was delivered as conventional fractionated radiation schedules. Pento was given to the patients 3 x 400 mg/day with a daily dose of 1200 mg during RT. RESULTS: Complete response (CR), partial response (PR), and stable in Pento+RT group were three (11%), 13 (48%), and 11 (41%), respectively, as compared with corresponding values of three (15%), 13 (65%), and four (20%) in the RT alone group. The median time to relapse in the Pento+RT group was 11 months which was 2 months longer than for the RT alone group (P>0.05). All the patients in both groups showed lower than or equal to grade 2 dysphagia, odynophagia, pulmonary fibrosis, and pneumonitis. The median survival was 18 months in the Pento+RT group and 7 months in the RT alone group. The 1-year survival rate was 60% in the Pento+RT group and 35% in the RT alone group, the 2-year survival rate was 18% in the Pento+RT group and 12% in the RT alone group. But these differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: We concluded that Pento is a modestly effective radiation response modifier and provide benefit in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

Potential of adenoviral p53 gene therapy and irradiation for the treatment of malignant gliomas.

We investigated the combined effects of p53 gene transfer and irradiation and its still unclear interaction mechanism in human gliomas. Four human glioma cell lines expressing mutant type p53 (U373 and A172) and wild-type p53 (D54MG and EFC-2) were transfected by adenoviral vectors bearing p53 gene at 50 multiplicity of infection. Two days after transfection, cells were irradiated (3, 6, and 9 Gy). The cytotoxicity was evaluated by clonogenic assay. The quantitative analysis of apoptosis and cell cycle analysis were performed using flow cytometry. Irradiation combined with adenoviral p53 transfection significantly increased cytotoxicity, which was additive in cell lines with wild-type p53 and more than additive in cell lines with mutant p53. The combination of two modalities increased the apoptotic population by 14% in A172 cells and 20% in D54 MG cells, which were the sum of apoptosis from each modality. Adenoviral p53 transfection increased the G1 phase fraction and concomitant decrease of radioresistant S phase fraction in A172 and D54MG cells. Our study demonstrated that p53 gene transfer combined with irradiation increased absolute cytotoxicity in human glioma cells used in this experiment. The interaction mechanism for increased cytotoxicity involved, in part, increased apoptosis and change of cell cycle profile.

Increase in tumor oxygenation and radiosensitivity caused by pentoxifylline.

The effects of pentoxifylline (PTX), a drug commonly used for vascular disorders in humans, on the pO2 in SCK tumors of A/J mice and FSa-II tumors of C3Heb/FeJ mice as well as on the radioresponse of SCK tumors were investigated. When the host mice were injected intraperitoneally (ip) with 5 mg/kg PTX, the tumor pO2 increased slowly, peaked 20-50 min postinjection, and returned to its original level in 70-90 min. The magnitude of the increase in tumor pO2 varied markedly depending on the site and tumors. The magnitude of the changes in tumor pO2 after an ip injection of 25 or 50 mg/kg PTX was similar to that caused by 5 mg/kg PTX, but the pO2 tended to remain elevated longer with the higher dose of PTX. When the A/J mice bearing SCK tumors in the legs were injected ip with 50 mg/kg PTX and the tumors were X-irradiated 20 min later, the radiation-induced growth delay of the tumors was greater than that caused by X irradiation alone. The present study demonstrated that PTX is potentially useful for increasing the pO2 and the radioresponse of human tumors.

In vivo antitumor effect of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene therapy in rat hepatocellular carcinoma: feasibility of adenovirus-mediated intra-arterial gene delivery.

Transfer of the herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase gene, followed by the administration of ganciclovir (HSV-tk/GCV), has been a major approach for cancer gene therapy. We investigated the antitumor effect of the HSV-tk/GCV strategy with the rat orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model and the tumor-selective gene delivery by an adenovirus-mediated gene transfer through the hepatic artery. The complete antitumor effect was demonstrated, after the treatment with GCV in rat HCC established by the implantation of HSV-tk transferred rat HCC cells. The in vivo bystander effect was also observed. The marked infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, macrophages and NK cells were found in the tumor area. After the injection of adenovirus carrying the LacZ gene into the hepatic artery, the selective expression of transgene in the tumor cell was achieved. These findings indicate that the HSV-tk/GCV strategy, using an adenoviral vector, could be a promising avenue for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Generation of fusion genes carrying drug resistance, green fluorescent protein, and herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase genes in a single cistron.

We generated new fusion genes carrying positive- and negative-selection markers, and a reporter gene in a single reading frame. The new genes were constructed by sequentially linking the coding sequences of drug-resistance genes (hygro, or puro), a green fluorescence protein (GFP) gene (gfp), and the thymidine kinase gene (tk). The new synthetic genes (hygro/gfp/tk and puro/ gfp/tk) were inserted into retroviral vectors to test their usefulness as selective markers and reporters. The genes were functional in a positive selection in the presence of hygromycin (hygro/gfp/tk) or puromycin (puro/gfp/ tk). In addition, cells expressing the new fusion genes were clearly identifiable by their green fluorescence emitted from GFP. At the same time, these cells were sensitive to a gancyclovir treatment, allowing efficient removal of the transduced cells. The presently described synthetic genes will be valuable tools in both gene therapy and basic gene transfer studies, where positive selection of the transduced cells, monitoring gene expression, and negative selection of the transduced cells are simultaneously required.

Growth inhibitory effect on glioma cells of adenovirus-mediated p16/INK4a gene transfer in vitro and in vivo.

The tumour suppressor gene p16/INK4a encodes a specific inhibitor of the cyclin D-dependent kinases CDK4 and CDK6. p16/INK4a prevents the association of CDK4 with cyclin D1, and subsequently inhibits phosphorylation of retinoblastoma tumour suppressor protein (pRb), thus preventing exit from the G1 phase. In human cancers, the estimated frequency of genetic alteration involving the p16/INK4a locus is believed to be second only to alteration of p53. A high frequency (greater than 50%) of homozygous p16/INK4a gene deletion has been demonstrated in glioblastoma tissues and p16/INK4a is altered in 80% of glioma cell lines. Therefore, restoration of p16/INK4a would suppress cell proliferation and induce cell growth arrest. We showed here that restoration of p16/INK4a expression in p16 negative U87MG, U251MG and partially deleted U373MG by Ad-CMV-p16/INK4a induced growth suppression in vitro and in vivo. Expression of p16 transferred by Ad-CMV-p16/INK4a in glioma cells was highly efficient and maintained for more than seven days. In addition, we found that the endogenous status of p16 and Rb might affect the expression of exogenous p16/INK4a gene and inhibitory effect of cell proliferation. Even though, there were several factors affecting the efficiency of Ad-CMV-p16/INK4 gene transfer, our results suggest that Ad-CMV-p16 gene therapy strategy is potentially useful and warrants further clinical investigation for the treatment of gliomas.

Expression of leptin receptor (Ob-R) in human atherosclerotic lesions: potential role in intimal neovascularization.

Neovascularization of the adventitial vasa vasorum with extension into the intima of atherosclerotic lesions is frequently observed, but its pathophysiological significance is still subject to debate. Recently, leptin, the product of the Ob gene, was identified. Leptin, via activation of the endothelial receptor (Ob-R), generates a growth signal involving a tyrosine kinase-dependent intracellular pathway and promotes angiogenic processes. We hypothesized that a high concentration of leptin within vasa vasorum and plaque itself, may influence inflammatory and vascular neovascularization coupling with functional upregulation of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Microscopic computerized tomography was utilized for the spatial distribution of vasa vasorum and intimal neovascularization from atherosclerotic human coronary arteries. Atherosclerotic coronary arteries showed a dense plexus of microvessels in the adventitia and plaque itself. Microscopic analysis from human atherosclerotic aortas revealed an increase in the intimal thickness with neovascularization. The immunoreactivity for Ob-R, VEGF and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) increased in atherosclerotic plaque, predominantly in the endothelial lining of the intimal neovessel and macrophages/foam cells. Our observation of a prominent colocalization between Ob-R, VEGF and MMP supports this hypothesis and these factors participate in the neovascularization of atherosclerotic lesions. The present study is the first report on vascular tissue and it opens a promising perspective concerning future investigations of leptin-dependent modulation of atherogenesis and vascular neovascularization under pathophysiolgical conditions.

Coexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 and matrix metalloproteinases in human aortic atherosclerotic lesions.

Inflammation appears to have a major role in the development of atherosclerosis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is involved in the inflammatory response via the generation of prostanoids that, in turn, are involved in the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). This study aimed to investigate atherosclerosis in human aortas for in situ tissue distribution of COX-2, MMPs including MMP-9 and membrane type 1 MMP (MT1-MMP), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2). Immunohistochemical studies were performed on atherosclerotic lesions of aortas from patients with aortic aneurysms (n = 4) and dissections (n = 3) by using antibodies to COX-2, MMP-9, MT1-MMP, and TIMP-2. Control tissues were obtained from traumatically dissected aortas (n = 2). All specimens from diseased aortas had atherosclerotic lesions ranging from fatty streak to atheromatous plaques. In control, there was no expression of COX-2, MMP-9, and MT1-MMP in all aortic layers. Immunoreactivity for COX-2 was predominantly noted in macrophages and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of the intima including atherosclerotic plaque itself and the medial layer of the plaque base, as well as in SMCs and endothelial lining of the vasa vasorum in the adventitia. Immunoreactivity for MMP-9 and MT1-MMP was found in the same distribution as that of COX-2. Additionally, the expression of TIMP-2 increased in relation to MMP-9 expression. This study demonstrates that COX-2 is coexpressed with MMP-9 and MT1-MMP, not only by macrophages and SMCs in atherosclerotic lesions, but also in endothelial lining of the vasa vasorum of human aortas. Thus, vascular inflammatory reactions may influence extracellular matrix remodeling by coactivation of MMPs in the development of atherosclerosis and, in turn, the progression of disease.

Phytochemical constituents of Artemisia japonica ssp. littoricola.

The phytochemical study of the aerial parts of Artemisia japonica ssp. littoricola (Asteraceae) led to the isolation of two acetylenic compounds, (3R)-dehydrofalcarinol (2) and (3R)-dehydrofalcarindiol (6), two sesquiterpenes, 1beta, 6alpha-dihydroxy-4(15)-eudesmene (5) and oplodiol (8), and four phenolic compounds, eugenol (1), vanillin (3), 3'-methoxy-4'-hydroxy-trans-cinnamaldehyde (4) and p-hydroxyacetophenone (7). Their structures were determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods.

Phytochemical constituents of Artemisia stolonifera.

Repeated column chromatographic separation of the CH2Cl2 extract of Artemisia stolonifera (Asteraceae) led to the isolation of a triterpene (I), a sesquiterpene (II), two aromatic compounds (III and IV) and a benzoquinone (V). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic means to be simiarenol (I), (1S,7S)-1beta-hydroxygermacra-4(15),5,10(14)-triene (II), 3'-methoxy-4'-hydroxy-trans-cinnamaldehyde (III), vanillin (IV) and 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (V), respectively. Among these products, compound V showed significant cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines in vitro, A549 (non small cell lung adenocarcinoma), SK-OV-3 (ovarian), SK-MEL-2 (skin melanoma), XF498 (CNS) and HCT15 (colon) with ED50 values ranging from 1.33-4.22 microg/ml.

Cytotoxic constituents ofPilea mongolica.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the aerial parts ofPilea mongolica (Urticaceae) afforded two cytotoxic triterpenoids, epi-oleanolic acid (I) and oxo-oleanolic acid (II). The structures of the compounds were confirmed by spectral and synthetic evidences. CompoundI and compoundII exhibited cytotoxicity against cultured human tumor cell lines, A549 (non small cell lung adenocarcinoma), SK-OV-3 (ovarian), SK-MEL-2 (skin melanoma), XF498 (CNS) and HCT15 (colon) with ED(50) values of 3.2 approximately 8.1 mug/ml and 0.7 approximately 6.8 mug/ml, respectively.

Cytotoxic peroxides from Artemisia stolonifera.

Two sesquiterpene endoperoxides, 1S, 4R, 6R-1, 4-endoperoxy-bisabola-2, 10-diene (I), 1R, 4S, 6R-1, 4-endoperoxy-bisabola-2, 10-diene (II), and a sesquiterpene hydroperoxide, 1beta-hydroperoxygermacra-4 (15), 5, 10 (14)-triene (III) were isolated from the aerial parts of Artemisia stolonifera (Compositae). Their chemical structures were assigned by spectral evidences. Compounds I and II exhibited cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines with their ED50 values ranging from 0.20 to 5.43 microg/ml and from <0.1 to 0.87 microg/ml, respectively.