ANTITUMOR-ACTIVITY OF THE AQUEOUS-ALCOHOLIC EXTRACTS FROM UNRIPE COTTON BALL OF GOSSYPIUM-INDICUM

The present study investigated the antitumor activity of the aqueous-a lcoholic extracts from unripe cotton balls of Gossypium indicum. An Ex posure of murine B16 melanoma and L1210 lymphoma cells to the extracts resulted in their severe deaths in time-and concentration-dependent m anners. Of the extracts, hydrophilic fractions were most efficacious f or the antitumor activity and found to contain certain amounts of cate chin and its derivatives. The hydrophilic extract fraction C36B2-8 had approximately 10 limes more cytotoxic effects on B12 and L1210 cells than on isolated murine thymocytes. High concentrations (>150 mu g/ml) of C 36B3-8 mainly induced necrotic cell death. At low concentrations (<100 mu g/ml), however, C 36B3-8 induced not only necrosis but also apoptosis of the two tumor cell lines, which was proved by the TUNEL s taining and DNA fragmentation techniques. The data indicate that certa in ingredients of the cotton ball extract of G. indicum have an antitu mor activity.