NEW TNF-$\alpha$ RELEASING INHIBITORS AS CANCER PREVENTIVE AGENTS FROM TRADITIONAL HERBAL MEDICINE, AND HNRNP B1, A NEW EFFECTIVE BIOMARKER FOR CHEMOPREVENTION OF HUMAN LUNG CANCER

Based on the success of green tea as a cancer preventive, herbal medicines are now also attracting attention as potential sources of cancer preventive agents. Using inhibition of TNF-$\alpha$ release assay, we studied Acer nikoense (Megusurino-ki in Japanese): Inhibitory potential was found in the leaf extract, and the main active constituents were identified as geraniin and corilagin. The $IC_{50}$/ values for TNF-$\alpha$ release inhibition were 43 $\mu$M for geraniin and 76 $\mu$M for corilagin, whereas that for (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)was 26 $\mu$M.(omitted)