Development of Anticancer Agents from Korean Medicinal Plants. Part 9. Antitumor Evaluation of Taraxaci Herba Extracts by Colormetric Methods.

한국산 생약으로부터 항암물질의 개발 (제9보). 비색분석법에 의한 포공령 추출물의 항암평가

In the present study, we have evaluated cytotoxic effects of Taraxaci Herba extract in human oral epitheloid carcinoma cells. An antitumor activity was measured by colorimetric assays using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and sulforhodamine protein B (SRB). The light microscopic study showed morphological changes, Ag-NOR (argyrophylic nucleolar organizer region) number and PAS positive reaction or the treated cells. These results obtained are as follows : MTT and SRB quantities were significantly decreased in cultured KB cells treated with 10$^{-2}$ /mg/ml and 10$^{-3}$ /mg/ml concentrations. The number of Ag-NORs were significantly decreased in cultured KB cells treated with 10$^{-2}$ /mg/ml and 10$^{-3}$ /mg/ml concentrations and the rate of Ag-NORs was shifted to left side (one Ag-Nounucleus was increased and five Ag-NORs/nucleus were decreased) by the high concentration. PAS reaction of cultured KB cells treated with 10$^{-2}$ /mg/ml and 10$^{-3}$ /mg/ml concentrations was negative. These results suggest that Taraxaci Herba retains a potential antitumor activity.