Effect of flavonoids on daunomycin-induced toxicity in cultivated endothelial cells

The cytotoxicity of daunomycin in cultivated endothelial cells was differentially influenced by selected flavonoids. One group (myricetin, flavone, apigenin) enhanced daunomycin toxicity whereas flavonols like quercetin, kaempferol, rutin and morin significantly inhibited this cytotoxicity. Other flavonoids like hesperidin, naringin and catechin did not interact with the daunomycin-induced inhibition of proliferation. There was no correlation between lipophilicity and toxicity of the flavonoids and the observed effects on daunomycin-induced cytotoxity. The protective effect of quercetin and rutin seems to be connected with the antioxidative properties of these flanonols.