Variable responses of different human cancer cells to the lichen compounds parietin, atranorin, usnic acid and gyrophoric acid.

Abstract

One of the ways for searching for potentially new anti-cancer drugs is the testing of various naturally synthesized compounds. Lichens are a source of unique chemical agents of which some have already been proved to be effective against various cancer in vitro models. Our study reports on the sensitivity of up to nine human cancer cell lines (A2780, HeLa, MCF-7, SK-BR-3, HT-29, HCT-116 p53(+/+), HCT-116 p53(-/-), HL-60 and Jurkat) to the anti-proliferative/cytotoxic effects of four typical secondary metabolites of lichens (parietin, atranorin, usnic acid and gyrophoric acid). Variations in the dynamics of tumour cell line populations were evaluated by the MTT, clonogenic and viability assays, cell proliferation and detachment, cell cycle transition and apoptotic nuclear morphology, thereby confirming their concentration- and time-dependent cytotoxicity. However, in comparison with parietin and gyrophoric acid, the suppression of viability and cell proliferation by usnic acid or atranorin was found to be more efficient at equitoxic doses and correlated more strongly with an increased number of floating cells or a higher apoptotic index. Moreover, the analysis of cell cycle distribution also revealed an accumulation of cells in S-phase. This study has confirmed a differential sensitivity of cancer cell lines to lichen secondary metabolites.

• Authors: M Bačkorová, M Bačkor, J Mikeš, R Jendželovský, P Fedoročko
• Journal: Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA (Toxicol In Vitro) Vol. 25 Issue 1 Pg. 37-44 (Feb 2011) ISSN: 1879-3177 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20837130 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Benzoates
• Benzofurans
• Hydroxybenzoates
• usnic acid
• atranorin
• gyrophoric acid
• physcione
• Emodin

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents (pharmacology)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Benzoates (pharmacology)
• Benzofurans (pharmacology)
• Cell Adhesion (drug effects)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Nucleus Shape (drug effects)
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Cell Survival (drug effects)
• Drug Discovery
• Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
• Emodin (analogs & derivatives, pharmacology)
• Humans
• Hydroxybenzoates (pharmacology)
• Lichens (chemistry)
• Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology)
• Osmolar Concentration
• S Phase (drug effects)