Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 1991 ; 86 Suppl 2(): 43-5.

Evaluation of the purified fraction of Wilbrandia (c.f.) verticillata for antitumour activity.

Rao VS, Almeida FR, Moraes AP, Silva JV, Nascimento SC, Moraes MO.

Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, UFC, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.

Cucurbitacins are known to produce cytotoxic and anticancer activities. Two novel norcucurbitacin glucosides (Wv1 and Wv2) have recently been isolated from a purified fraction obtained from the rhizome of Wilbrandia verticillata. The present study evaluates the cytotoxic and antitumour activities of these norcucurbitacins. We have found a regular cytotoxicity in KB cells (Cy50 = 12 micrograms/ml) as well as a significant inhibition in the Walker 256 carcinosarcoma growth (approximately 75%).