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Cancer chemopreventive agents (antitumor-promoters) from Ajuga decumbens

M Takasaki1, H Tokuda, H Nishino

  • 1Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, and Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-0841, Japan.

Journal of Natural Products
|July 30, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Compounds from Ajuga decumbens inhibit Epstein-Barr virus early antigen induction. Two compounds, cyasterone and 8-acetylharpagide, demonstrated significant antitumor-promoting and chemopreventive activities in mouse models.

Area of Science:

  • Phytochemistry
  • Cancer Research
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Natural products are a rich source of potential therapeutic agents.
  • Ajuga decumbens is a medicinal plant with a history of traditional use.
  • Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) induction is a key event in cancer promotion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of compounds from Ajuga decumbens as antitumor promoters.
  • To evaluate the inhibitory effects of isolated compounds on EBV-EA induction.
  • To assess the chemopreventive activities of potent compounds in animal models.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and characterization of sixteen compounds from Ajuga decumbens.
  • In vitro screening for inhibition of EBV-EA induction by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA).
  • In vivo evaluation of antitumor-promoting activity using a two-stage mouse-skin carcinogenesis model.
  • Assessment of chemopreventive activity in a mouse pulmonary tumor model.

Main Results:

  • Five compounds (6, 9, 12-14) exhibited significant inhibition of EBV-EA induction.
  • Cyasterone (6) and 8-acetylharpagide (13) demonstrated potent antitumor-promoting effects in vivo.
  • Compound 13 also showed strong chemopreventive activity against pulmonary tumors in mice.

Conclusions:

  • Ajuga decumbens contains compounds with significant antitumor-promoting and chemopreventive potential.
  • Cyasterone and 8-acetylharpagide are key active constituents warranting further investigation.
  • These findings support the exploration of Ajuga decumbens as a source for cancer chemopreventive agents.

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