In vitro antitumor activity of flavonoids from Sophora flavescens

고삼(苦蔘)의 항암활성(抗癌活性) 및 활성성분(活性成分)에 관한 연구(硏究)

The cytotoxicity-guided fractionation of the roots of Sophora flavescens (Leguminosae) extracts led to the isolation of fifteen active principles 1~15, responsible for the cytotoxicity against five kinds of cultured human tumor cell lines, i.e., A549(non small cell lung), SK-OV-3(ovary), SK-MEL-2(skin), XF498(central nerve system) and HCT-15(colon), evaluated by SRB method in vitro. Compounds 2~14 were classified as unusual flavonoid occurred exclusively in this species and the proliferation of each examined tumor cells were significantly inhibited during the continuous exposure to compounds 1~15 for 48 hours, respectively.