Inhibitory effects of the stem bark extract of Eucommia ulmoides on the proliferation of human tumor cell lines

A bioassay-guided fractionation of the stem bark extract of Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (Eucommiaceae) led to the isolation of three iridoid constituents, genipin (1), geniposide (3), geniposidic acid (4) as well as (${\pm}$)-guaiacylglycerol (2) and fatty acid mixtures as active ingredients of the extract responsible for the antitumoral property. The EtOAc soluble part and BuOH soluble part of the extract demonstrated a significant inhibition on the proliferation of cultured human tumor cells such as A549 (non small cell lung), SK-OV-3 (ovary), SK-MEL-2 (melanoma), XF498 (central nerve system) and HCT-15 (colon) in vitro, whereas the remaining water soluble part exhibited a poor inhibition. (omitted)