An antitumor promoter from Moringa oleifera Lam
A P Guevara1, C Vargas, H Sakurai
1Institute of Chemistry, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
Mutation Research
|April 21, 1999
Summary
Moringa oleifera seeds yield compounds with antitumor potential. Niazimicin demonstrated significant in vitro and in vivo antitumor promoting activity, suggesting its use as a chemo-preventive agent.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacognosy
- Natural Products Chemistry
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Philippine plants are a source of bioactive compounds.
- Moringa oleifera seeds were investigated for novel chemical constituents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize bioactive compounds from Moringa oleifera seeds.
- To evaluate the antitumor promoting activity of isolated compounds.
Main Methods:
- Ethanol extraction and chromatographic isolation of compounds.
- In vitro assay for Epstein-Barr virus-early antigen (EBV-EA) activation inhibition.
- In vivo two-stage skin carcinogenesis assay in mice.
Main Results:
- A new compound, O-ethyl-4-(alpha-L-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl carbamate, and seven known compounds were isolated.
- Four isolates (2, 3, 7, 8) inhibited EBV-EA activation in vitro, with compounds 2, 3, and 8 showing significant activity.
- Niazimicin (3) exhibited potent in vivo antitumor promoting activity in a mouse skin carcinogenesis model.
Conclusions:
- Moringa oleifera seeds contain compounds with significant antitumor promoting potential.
- Niazimicin (3) is identified as a potent chemo-preventive agent against chemical carcinogenesis.
