Anti-tumour activity of two 19-nor-clerodane diterpenes, trans- dehydrocrotonin and trans-crotonin, from Croton cajucara

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1999-14042

The effects of two nor-diterpenes, trans-dehydrocrotonin (DCTN) and trans-crotonin (CTN) from Croton cajucara (Euphorbiaceae), on the survival of mice bearing Sarcoma 180 and Ehrlich carcinoma ascitic tumours, on the proliferation of cultured Ehrlich cells and TNFα activity were determined. When the mice were treated with 80 and 120 mg/kg of DCTN or 38 mg/kg of 5-FU a significant anti-tumour activity was obtained (%T/C of 128-140). The cytotoxicity against Ehrlich carcinoma was 16 μM for DCTN and CTN whereas the flavonoid quercetin was cytotoxic at 44 μM in 48 h cell culture. No apoptosis was seen on in vitro electrophoresis of DNA extracted from the tumour cells treated with DCTN and CTN. A significant TNFα activity was detected in Ehrlich tumour-bearing mice treated with DCTN suggesting an enhanced immune function.