This paper describes the preparation, chemical structure and cytotoxic activity of
marycin, a
hematoporphyrin derivative.
Marycin has been prepared by condensing
hematoporphyrin dimethyl
ester in the presence of
p-toluenesulfonic acid and reducing the product with
lithium aluminum hydride. The product appeared to be pure by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chormatography (HPLC). The product, analyzed by UV-visible absorbance and fluorescence spectra, appears to be related to the parent
hematoporphyrin compound. The product was also analyzed by NMR and Mass spectra: a dimeric structure can be assigned to
marycin: this appears to have an
oxide bridge between C2-chains of two
porphyrin units and
hydroxyl groups instead of carboxyls.
Marycin was screened for cytotoxic activity against ZR-75, MCF-7, HT-29, K-562, human tumor cell lines and the MRC-9 human embryonic cell line.
Marycin decreases the growth index, measured in the radiometric assay, as 14CO2 production. The cytotoxic activity was dose-dependent and is attributable to the pure compound,
marycin.
Marycin is active at low doses but the activity varies with the cell line studied. The compound had low toxicity versus MRC-9 normal cell line. The compound is active without light activation. How
marycin acts is a matter of speculation.
Marycin is highly liposoluble and would be expected to have high toxicity for
tumors.