Abstract
Pseudohypericin (PH) and hypericin (H) are photosensitizing plant pigments from Hypericum perforatum. H displays cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing effects in neoplastic cell lines. Here,
we have assessed the phototoxic and apoptosis-inducing capacity of PH compared to
H in a cell culture model with human leukemic lymphoma cells (Jurkat). Treatment with
both photoactivated H and PH resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation,
whereas not photoactivated H and PH had no effect at the concentrations tested. The
half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of H was lower (100 ng/mL) as compared to PH (200 ng/mL) (p < 0.05). In an apoptosis
assay we found a dose-dependent increase of DNA fragmentation after treatment with
both photoactivated H and PH. The cytotoxic potential of PH should be taken into account
during systemic therapy with Hypericum extracts, since PH is about two times more abundant than H in Hypericum perforatum.
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CM Schempp
Dept of Dermatology
University of Freiburg
Haupstr. 7
79104 Freiburg
Germany
Telefon: +49 761-270-6701
Fax: +49 761-270-6829
eMail: schempp@ haut.ukl.uni-freiburg.de