IN-VITRO CYTOTOXICITY OF ECHITAMINE CHLORIDE AND ADRIAMYCIN ON EHRLICH ASCITES-CARCINOMA CELL-CULTURES

Echitamine chloride (EC), an indole alkaloid extracted from the bark o f Alstonia scholaris, was tested for its anticancer activity against E hrlich ascites carcinoma cell cultures. To compare the efficacy of thi s compound, adriamycin was given in combination with EC. Because label led macromolecular fractions are generally defined as DNA, RNA and pro teins, the rate of incorporation of H-3-thymidine (in DNA), H-3-uridin e (in RNA) and C-14-glycine (in protein) were studied in mice Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cell cultures. The cell viability and uptake of all the three precursors were inhibited in the drug-treated cell cultures.