Planta Med 2002; 68(12): 1135-1137
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-36342
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Microtubule-Interacting Activity and Cytotoxicity of the Prenylated Coumarin Ferulenol

Claudia Bocca1 , Ludovica Gabriel1 , Francesca Bozzo1 , Antonella Miglietta1
  • 1Department of Experimental Medicine and Oncology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Received: April 9, 2002

Accepted: July 13, 2002

Publication Date:
20 December 2002 (online)

Abstract

In this study we investigated biological activity of ferulenol, a prenylated 4-hydroxycoumarin from Ferula communis. Ferulenol stimulates tubulin polymerization in vitro, and inhibits the binding of radiolabeled colchicine to tubulin. It rearranges cellular microtubule network into short fibres, and alters nuclear morphology. Remarkably, ferulenol exerts a dose-dependent cytotoxic activity against various human tumor cell lines.

Abbreviations

DAPI:4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole

DMEM:Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium

EGTA:ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)tetraacetic acid

FBS:fetal bovine serum

FITC:fluoresceine isothiocyanate

GTP:guanosine 5′-triphosphate

MES:2-[N-morpholino]ethane-sulfonic acid

MTP:microtubule protein

SDS:sodium dodecyl sulfate

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Claudia Bocca

Department of Experimental Medicine and Oncology, University of Torino

Corso Raffaello 30

10125 Torino

Italy

Phone: +39-0116707751

Fax: +39-0116707753

Email: claudia.bocca@unito.it