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Planta Med 2002; 68(2): 171-173
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-20264
Letter

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Phototoxic and Apoptosis-Inducing Capacity of Pseudohypericin

Christoph M. Schempp1 , Birgit Simon-Haarhaus1 , Jan C. Simon1
  • 1Department of Dermatology, University of Freiburg, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

March 29, 2001

August 19, 2001

Publication Date:
22 February 2002 (online)

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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

Phone: +49 761-270-6701

Fax: +49 761-270-6829

Email: schempp@ haut.ukl.uni-freiburg.de