Planta Med 2010; 76 - P271
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1264569

Study on antitumoral activity of some chemical compounds isolated from Origanum vulgare ssp. vulgare

Z Guvenalp 1, M Turan 2, Z Sümer 2, M Güllüce 3, H Ozbek 1, O Baris 3, F Orhan 3, L Demirezer 4
  • 1Ataturk University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey
  • 2Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery, 58140 Sivas, Turkey
  • 3Ataturk University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey
  • 4Hacettepe University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, 06100 Ankara, Turkey

In vivo and in vitro studies have shown that some natural compounds, obtained from plants have regulatory roles on xenobiotic effects. Characterization of these compounds and determination of antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic effects of them has provided an important strategy for decreasing the propagation of cancer disease in human beings. The genus Origanum (Lamiaceae) is represented by 23 species and 6 hybrides in Turkish flora and 14 of them are endemic [1–2]. Origanum species are used in infusion form (2%) as diaphoretic, diüretic, carminative and sedative in folk medicine [3]. In this study the chemical composition of Origanum vulgare (Lamiaceae) and its anticarcinogenic effect, and effect mechanism were studied. Plant material was collected from Erzurum-Oltu in flowering period. Powdered dried aerial parts of this plant were extracted with methanol. After evaporation of the solvent, the crude residue was suspended in water and successively extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform and n-butanol, respectively. The organic layers were evaporated to dryness. As a result of chromatographical studies Luteolin-7-O-glucuronide, Luteolin-7-O-xyloside, Rosmarinic acid, Lithospermic acid and Lithospermic acid B were isolated. Antitumor properties of these compounds were investigated by using MCF-7 breast cancer cell sequence. Trypan blue extraction and MTT assay methods were used for the antitumor studies. Luteolin-7-O-glucuronide, Luteolin-7-O-xyloside and Rosmarinic acid have shown moderate antitumoral activity.

Acknowledgements: This study was supported by grants from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK). (Project No: 107T203).

References: 1. Ietswaart, J.H. (1982) In: „Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands“, Ed. P.H. Davis. Univ. Press. Edinburgh.

2. Duman, H. (2000) In: „Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands“ (supplement 2), Eds. Güner, A. et al. Univ. Press. Edinburgh.

3. Baytop, T. (1984) Therapy with medicinal plants in Turkey (past and present). Istanbul Üniversitesi Yayinlari. Istanbul.