Thiol gel as a matrix for binding-release of alpha,beta-unsaturated sesquiterpene lactones

The hydrogel thiopropyl-sepharose 6B was used as a model matrix system to b ind the natural cytotoxic sesquiterpene lactones grosheimin 1 and deacylcyn aropicrin 2. The hydrogel thio groups were bonded to the lactone exomethyle ne groups and the release of the lactones from the polymer was studied. Sin ce it is thought that cancer cells have a higher oxidative potential than n ormal cells, the release was carried out through an oxidative cleavage. Dif ferent concentrations of hydrogen peroxide solutions were added to the :lac tone-polymer conjugates, thus, imitating in vivo conditions. The results ob tained showed that both-the rate and amount of grosheimin and deacylcynarop icrin release depend linearly on the. H2O2 concentration.