EFFECT OF NATURAL PURE COMPOUNDS CURCUSONE-A AND CURCUSONE-C FROM TROPICAL HERBAL PLANT JATROPHA-CURCUS ON THERMOSENSITIVITY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THERMOTOLERANCE IN CHINESE-HAMSTER V-79 CELLS IN-VITRO

Cytotoxic and thermo-enhancing effects of Curcusones A and C isolated from the roots of Jatropha Curcus in combination with hyperthermia at 42 degrees C or 44 degrees C in Chinese hamster V-79 cells were determ ined, These compounds at 1 mu g/ml alone did not show any appreciable toxic effects, while they demonstrated enhancing effects on the cellul ar thermosensitivity at 42 degrees C. Thermotolerance development was inhibited as measured in the survivals from the second exposure of the 42-44 degrees C step-up heating under the incubation in presence of C urcusone A or C at 1 mu g/ml.