UkrainTM, a semisynthetic Chelidonium majus alkaloid derivative, acts by inhibition of tubulin polymerization in normal and malignant cell lines

NF-κB does not influence the induction of apoptosis by Ukrain

“…The induction of apoptosis by Ukrain in vitro has been further demonstrated in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells, 33 prostate cells 9 and epidermoid cancer cells, including vulvar and cervical. 4 Reduction in DNA, RNA and protein synthesis and inhibition of tubulin polymerization have been observed after exposure to Ukrain, 6,34 but no direct relationship between these cellular effects and cytotoxicity has been demonstrated. In the present paper we found that Ukrain induced apoptosis in cervical, colonic and kidney cancer cells, but not in a nontransformed cell line derived from human fibroblasts.…”

“…Although further investigation is necessary, our results could indicate a secondary role for tubulin as the main target for Ukrain, as suggested by others. 34 NF-κ B is a pleiotropic transcription factor that modulates cellular processes such as proliferation and cell death in response to external and internal stimuli such as cytokines and growth factors, inflammation and stress. It is one of the most important antiapoptotic factors, as demonstrated by the embryonic lethality induced by massive liver apoptosis in knockout mice deficient in the RelA component of NF-κ B.…”

Correlation of the cytotoxic activity of four different alkaloids, from Chelidonium majus (greater celandine), with their DNA intercalating properties and ability to induce breaks in the DNA of NK/Ly murine lymphoma cells

“…For many years, it was believed that this plant could remedy certain liver ailments. It was demonstrated that both alkaloid extracts and purified alkaloids from that plant exhibited distinct antiinflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-tumor activities [6,11,12,17]. Those extracts contained several di-isoquinoline alkaloids, and chelidonine, sanguinarine, chelerythrine, berberine and coptisine were shown to be the major ones.…”

In Vitro Leishmanicidal Activity of Benzophenanthridine Alkaloids from Bocconia pearcei and Related Compounds

“…Benzophenanthridine alkaloids have been reported to have various bioactivities, such as antimicrobial activity, 20) inhibition of tubulin polymerization, 21) suppression of angiogenesis, 22) induction of apoptosis in OCM-1 cells, 23) etc. Benzophenanthridine alkaloids have been reported to have antimalarial activity, but this is the first report of leishmanicidal activity.…”