Cytotoxicity of plant flavonoids against HeLa cells

Abstract

(-)-Epigallocatechin and 28 other plant flavonoids were tested for cytotoxic activity against HeLa cells. Flavones and flavanones were active and several compounds with planar and non-planar ring systems showed high cytotoxic activities. Although no clear structure activity relationship was deduced, hydroxyl groups on the A- and B- ring affected the cytotoxic potency positively or negatively, depending on the position of substitution. The uptake of thymidine was predominantly inhibited by myricetin, whereas the uptake of uridine was inhibited by (−)- epigallocatechin; the uptake of both thymidine and uridine were inhibited by 7,8-dihydroxyflavone.