In vitro: |
J Ethnopharmacol. 2010 Mar 24;128(2):501-12. | Ethnobotanical survey and cytotoxicity testing of plants of South-western Nigeria used to treat cancer, with isolation of cytotoxic constituents from Cajanus cajan Millsp. leaves.[Pubmed: 20064598 ] | A total of 30 healers from S W Nigeria were involved in the study.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
45 species were recorded with their local names with parts used in the traditional therapeutic preparations. Cytotoxicity (IC(50) values less than 50 microg/mL) was observed in 5 species (Acanthospermum hispidum, Cajanus cajan, Morinda lucida, Nymphaea lotus and Pycnanthus angolensis). Acanthospermum hispidum and Cajanus cajan were the most active. The dichloromethane fraction of Cajanus cajan had IC(50) value 5-10 microg/mL, with the two constituent stilbenes, longistylin A and Longistylin C, being primarily responsible, with IC(50) values of 0.7-14.7 microM against the range of cancer cell lines.Most of the species tested had some cytotoxic effect on the cancer cell lines, which to some extent supports their traditional inclusion in herbal preparations for treatment of cancer. However, little selectivity for cancer cells was observed, which raises concerns over their safety and efficacy in traditional treatment.
CONCLUSIONS:
The longistylin A and Longistylin C appear to be responsible for much of the activity of Cajanus cajan extract. | Phytother Res. 2004 Feb;18(2):128-30. | Antiplasmodial constituents of Cajanus cajan.[Pubmed: 15022164 ] | METHODS AND RESULTS:
Bioactivity-guided fractionation of extracts of roots and leaves of Cajanus cajan afforded 8 compounds: betulinic acid, biochanin A, cajanol, genistein and 2'-hydroxygenistein, longistylin A and Longistylin C, and pinostrobin.
CONCLUSIONS:
The two stilbenes, longistylin A and Longistylin C, and betulinic acid showed a moderately high in vitro activity against the chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7. |
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