Research Highlight

Anti-cancer herbs

doi:10.1038/nindia.2010.56 Published online 29 April 2010

Researchers have isolated new organic compounds from the herbs Latakaranja (Caesalpinia crista) and Guleture (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) that show anti-cancer effects.

Chemical analysis on Latakaranja yielded two new diterpenoids (6β-cinnamoyloxy-7β-acetoxyvouacapen-5α-ol and 6β,7β-dibenzoyloxyvouacapen-5α-ol) and that of Guleture another new diterpenoid (12-demethyl neocaesalpin F) along with several known constituents.

In lab studies, the compounds showed anti-cancer effects on two different cancer cell lines. The compounds proved toxic for cancer cells, the researchers say.

The authors of this work are from: Organic Chemistry Division-I, NMR Division and Biology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India.

References

  1. Das, B. et al. New diterpenoids from Caesalpinia species and their cytotoxic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 20, 2847-2850 (2010) | Article | PubMed |