Open AccessAntitumor Activity of Oenothein B, a Unique Macrocyclic Ellagitannin
Author(s) -
Miyamoto Kenichi,
Nomura Masaaki,
Sasakura Mitsugu,
Matsui Eiichi,
Koshiura Ryozo,
Murayama Tsugiya,
Furukawa Toru,
Hatano Tsutomu,
Yoshida Takashi,
Okuda Takuo
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
japanese journal of cancer research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 0910-5050
DOI - 10.1111/j.1349-7006.1993.tb02790.x
Subject(s) - ellagitannin , peritoneal cavity , cytotoxic t cell , cytotoxicity , in vitro , immune system , chemistry , ratón , pharmacology , mechanism of action , biology , immunology , biochemistry , antioxidant , polyphenol , anatomy
The antitumor effect of oenothein B, a macrocyclic ellagitannin from Oenothera erythrosepala Bordas, on rodent tumors was studied, Oenothein B exhibited a strong antitumor activity against MM2 ascites tumors upon intraperitoneal administration to the mice before or after the tumor inoculation. The tannin also inhibited the growth of Meth‐A solid type tumor in mice. This antitumor effect of the tannin could not be attributed to its direct cytotoxic action on tumor cells, because the cytotoxicity was very weak in the presence of serum protein. When oenothein B was injected into the peritoneal cavity of mice, peritoneal exudate cells, including cytostatic macrophages, were induced. Furthermore, in the in vitro treatment of macrophages from mice and humans, the tannin stimulated release of an interleukin 1 (IL‐1)‐like activity and IL‐1β from the cells. These results suggest that oenothein B exerts its antitumor effect through potentiation of the host‐immune defense via activation of macrophages.