Combination effect of lignin F and natural products

We investigated the effect of lignin F, isolated from the alkaline extract of the cone of Pinus parviflora Sieb. ct Zucc, on the cytotoxic activity an d radical intensity (measured by ESR spectroscopy) of various natural produ cts. Lignin F slighty inhibited the proliferation of human oral tumor cell lines (human squamous cell carcinoma HSC-2 human salivary gland tumor HSC), but not that of human gingival fibroblast HGF, suggesting its tumor specif ic cytotoxic action. Lignin F enhanced the cytotoxic activity of vitamin K- 2 vitamin K-3, sodium ascorbate (vitamin C), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG ) (a major component of green tea), gallic acid (structural unit of tannin) , chlorogenic acid, and 6 tea extracts (Japanese green tea, Japanese barley tea, black tea, Chinese green tea, Chinese Jasmin tea, Chinese Oolong tea) , to various extents. On the other hand, lignin inhibited the cytotoxic act ivity of curcumin and dopamine. ESR spectroscopy demonstrated that combinat ion of lignin and vitamin Kj, EGCG or gallic acid synergistically augmented the radical intensity. Lignin F enhanced the bactericidal activity of EGCG against E.coli. These data suggest the beneficial effect of the combinatio n of lignin F and natural products.