• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.445-452
• /
• 2004

We investigated the cytotoxic effects of seven furanoterpenoids 〔sarcotin A, epi-sarcotin A, ircinin-1, epi-sarcotrine B, sarcotin I, (8E, l3Z, 20Z)-strobilinin/(7E,l3Z, 20Z)-felixinin and (7E,12E,18R,20Z)-variabilin〕 isolated from the sponge Sarcotragus sp. (the order Dictyoceratida) on the growth of A549 human lung carcinoma cells. MTT data revealed that sarcotin A and (7E,12E,18R,20Z)-variabilin exhibited higher potencies on the anti-proliferative activities than the other compounds in A549 cells. The growth inhibition by treatment with compounds (especially epi-sarcotin A, ircinin-1 and epi-sarcotrine B) were associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death through the concentration-dependent increase of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in a p53-dependent or independent pathway Additionally, epi-sarcotin A and ircinin-1 strongly inhibited the levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression without alteration of COX-1. Taken together, the results suggest that the furanoterpenoids from the marine sponge have strong potentials as candidates for anti-cancer drugs.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
• /
• 2004.10a
• /
• pp.36-41
• /
• 2004

Postharvest handling of sweetpotatoes is inevitable procedure for the maintenance, storage, management and utilization of high fresh quality of storage roots. It ranges in degree from simple lifting of roots, carrying them from field to storage house and immediate consumption after cooking, to sophisticated methods of curing, and storage under controlled conditions followed by processing into a high quality food products. Postharvest saleability, quality and nutritional value of roots and the presence or absence in roots of bitter, toxic furanoterpenoid phytoalexins or mycotoxins depends greatly on the degree and types of treatment to which produce is subjected. Climatic and soil conditions before harvest and contamination or attack by microorganisms or insect pests in the field may initiate or enhance subsequent postharvest deterioration. Careless postharvest handling can lead to both quantitative and qualitative losses which may be extremely high in some circumstances. Research has concentrated on the improvement of preharvest conditions to increase yield and lower decrease rates. However, such efforts are wasted unless they go hand in hand with others designed to reduce the high degree of loss associated with careless postharvest handling.