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Planta Med 1996; 62(4): 322-325
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-957893
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© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Cytotoxic Triterpenoids from the Leaves of Euphorbia pulcherrima

I. Smith-Kielland1 , J. M. Dornish2 , K. E. Malterud3 , G. Hvistendahl4 , Chr. Rømming4 , O. C. Bøckmann5 , P. Kolsaker4 , Y. Stenstrøm6 , A. Nordal3
  • 1Institute for Biochemistry, University of Oslo, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
  • 2Department of Pharmacology, Pronova a.s, Gaustadalleen 21, N-0371 Oslo, Norway
  • 3Department of Pharmacognosy, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
  • 4Institute of Chemistry, University of Oslo, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
  • 5Norsk Hydro's Research Center, N-3901 Porsgrunn, Norway
  • 6Department of Biotechnological Sciences, NLH, N-1432 Ås, Norway
Further Information

Publication History

1995

1996

Publication Date:
04 January 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Two cytotoxic triterpenes have been isolated from Euphorbia pulcherrima. Their structures and stereochemistry have been established from NMR, IR, and El-mass spectroscopy. The compounds were identified as 9,19-cycloart-23-ene-3β,25-diol and 9,19-cycloart-25-ene-3β,24-diol. Cytotoxicity evaluation was performed using Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. While cycloartenol induced no cytotoxic activity against Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, both isolated triterpenes exhibited cell inactivating effects. The IC50 is approximately 7.5 µM, while the IC90 is approximately 13.5 µM for 9,19-cycloart-25-ene-3β,24-diol. The 3β,25-diol compound is 50 % less active.

Key words

Triterpenes - cycloartenol - Euphorbia pulcherrima - Euphorbiaceae - cytotoxicity - Ehrlich ascites

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