In vitro cytotoxicity of flavonoids against MK2 and C6 tumour cells.

Abstract

The cytotoxic effect of five flavonoids isolated from the aerial parts of the Asteraceae family of plants were studied in vitro using LLC-MK2 and C6 glial cells. Agehoustin A was shown to be cytotoxic for both cells (71% or 67% cell death). Agehoustin B and artemetin, which lack a methoxy group at C-8 (RI), were not cytotoxic for the cells (19% and 16% cell death). The three flavonoids showed considerable suppressive effects on LLC-MK2 and C6 cell growth. Lucidin-dimethylether and gnaphaliin were also not cytotoxic for cells but they had no suppressive effect on cell growth. The results show a structure-cytostatic activity relationship. We suggest that the methoxy group on C-8 and on the B ring are responsible for death cell.