Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 4, 2026

Formation of Covalent DNA Adducts by Enzymatically Activated Carcinogens and Drugs In Vitro and Their Determination by 32P-postlabeling
09:33

Formation of Covalent DNA Adducts by Enzymatically Activated Carcinogens and Drugs In Vitro and Their Determination by 32P-postlabeling

Published on: March 20, 2018

Anti-carcinogenic activity of Taraxacum plant. II

M Takasaki1, T Konoshima, H Tokuda

  • 1Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Japan.

Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin
|July 17, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Taraxasterol and taraxerol from Taraxacum japonicum roots show promise as cancer chemopreventive agents. These compounds effectively inhibited tumor promotion in mouse models, suggesting potential for cancer prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Natural Product Chemistry
  • Cancer Chemoprevention Research
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Natural products are a rich source of potential therapeutic agents.
  • Triterpenoids from Taraxacum species have demonstrated various biological activities.
  • Identifying novel cancer chemopreventive agents is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the anti-tumor-promoting potential of triterpenoids isolated from Taraxacum japonicum roots.
  • To evaluate the inhibitory effects of these compounds on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) induction.
  • To assess the efficacy of selected triterpenoids in animal models of carcinogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Eleven triterpenoids were isolated from Taraxacum japonicum roots.
  • In vitro screening involved assessing inhibition of EBV-EA induction by 12-O-tetrade-canoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in Raji cells.
  • In vivo studies included two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis tests and evaluation of spontaneous mammary tumors in mice.

Main Results:

  • Taraxasterol (1) and taraxerol (7) demonstrated significant inhibition of EBV-EA induction.
  • Acetates 2 and 8 showed weaker inhibitory effects compared to compounds 1 and 7.
  • Taraxasterol (1) and taraxerol (7) exhibited potent anti-tumor-promoting activity in mouse skin carcinogenesis.
  • Taraxasterol (1) showed a remarkable inhibitory effect on spontaneous mammary tumors in C3H/OuJ mice.

Conclusions:

  • Taraxasterol (1) and taraxerol (7) possess significant anti-tumor-promoting properties.
  • Taraxasterol (1) shows particular promise as a chemopreventive agent against various cancers.
  • Further research into Taraxacum japonicum-derived triterpenoids is warranted for cancer prevention strategies.

More Related Videos

The Lambda Select cII Mutation Detection System07:08

The Lambda Select cII Mutation Detection System

Published on: April 26, 2018

Chemical-Induced Skin Carcinogenesis Model Using Dimethylbenz[a]Anthracene and 12-O-Tetradecanoyl Phorbol-13-Acetate (DMBA-TPA)04:12

Chemical-Induced Skin Carcinogenesis Model Using Dimethylbenz[a]Anthracene and 12-O-Tetradecanoyl Phorbol-13-Acetate (DMBA-TPA)

Published on: December 19, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Physical Properties of Amines01:26

Physical Properties of Amines

Amines with low molecular weight are usually gaseous at room temperature, while those with high molecular weight are liquid or solids in nature. Usually, low molecular weight amines have a rotten fish-like smell. Diamines typically have a pungent smell. For instance, cadaverine and putrescine, depicted in Figure 1, are two molecules responsible for decaying tissue.
Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity01:25

Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity

Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity refer to the ability of drugs to cause genetic defects and induce cancer, respectively. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies agents into four groups based on their carcinogenic potential. Group 1 agents are known human carcinogens; group 2A agents are probably carcinogenic to humans; group 3 agents lack data to support their role in carcinogenesis; and group 4 includes agents for which data support that they are not likely to be...