Planta Med 2001; 67(6): 557-559
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-16478
Letter

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Cytotoxic Sesquiterpene Lactones Mediate their Death-Inducing Effect in Leukemia T Cells by Triggering Apoptosis

Verena M. Dirsch1,*, Hermann Stuppner2 , Angelika M. Vollmar1
  • 1 Institut für Pharmazie - Zentrum für Pharmaforschung - Universität München, München, Germany
  • 2 Institut für Pharmazie, Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
Further Information

Publication History

August 18, 2000

December 2, 2000

Publication Date:
17 August 2001 (online)

Abstract

Cytotoxicity is a well characterized property of sesquiterpene lactones. In the present study, the question was addressed whether sesquiterpene lactones mediate their cytotoxic effect by triggering apoptosis. Four compounds, ambrosin, alantolactone, hymenin and helenalin were shown to induce apoptosis in Jurkat leukemia T cells as judged by cell morphology, the appearance of apoptotic nuclei as well as the translocation of phosphatidylserine to the outer surface of the cell membrane.

References

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Dr. Verena Dirsch

Institut für Pharmazie

Zentrum für Pharmaforschung

Butenandtstr 5-13

81377 München

Germany

Email: Verena.Dirsch@cup.uni-muenchen.de

Fax: +49-89 2180 7173

Phone: Tel.: +49-89 2180 7161