Anti-tumor-promoting activity of majonoside-R2 from Vietnamese ginseng, Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv. (I).

Abstract

Seven saponins (1-7) isolated from the rhizomes and roots of Panax vietnamensis were tested for their inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) induced by the tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), in Raji cells as a primary screening test for anti-tumor-promoters (cancer chemopreventive agents). The ocotillol-type saponin, majonoside-R2 (2), which is the major and characteristic constituent of this plant, exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on EBV-EA activation. Furthermore, the cell cycle analysis of 2 on Raji cells was also examined and strong inhibition was observed on the effect of the cell cycle induced by TPA. Compound 2 showed potent anti-tumor-promoting activity in two-stage carcinogenesis tests of mouse skin using 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) as an initiator and TPA or fumonisin B1 as a promoter. Consequently, these results suggest that majonoside-R2 (2) could be a valuable chemopreventive agent against chemical carcinogenesis.

• Authors: T Konoshima, M Takasaki, H Tokuda, H Nishino, N M Duc, R Kasai, K Yamasaki
• Journal: Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin (Biol Pharm Bull) Vol. 21 Issue 8 Pg. 834-8 (Aug 1998) ISSN: 0918-6158 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 9743252 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anticarcinogenic Agents
• Antigens, Viral
• Carboxylic Acids
• Epstein-Barr virus early antigen
• Fumonisins
• Ginsenosides
• Saponins
• fumonisin B1
• majonoside R2
• Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

Topics

• Animals
• Anticarcinogenic Agents (pharmacology)
• Antigens, Viral (drug effects)
• Carboxylic Acids (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Fumonisins
• Ginsenosides
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred ICR
• Papilloma (prevention & control)
• Saponins (pharmacology)
• Skin Neoplasms (prevention & control)
• Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate (antagonists & inhibitors)