Carcinogenesis, Teratogenesis & Mutagenesis

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Anti-tumor activity of different effective fractions of safflower extract in vitro

FAN Li,LU Xue,ZHAO Hua,LIU Qing-jie,LIU Jian-xiang,FENG Jiang-bin*   

  1. (National Institute for Radiological Protection, Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088, China)
  • Received:2013-04-27 Revised:2013-08-07 Online:2013-09-30 Published:2013-09-30
  • Contact: FENG Jiang-bin,E-mail:msfl@sina.com

Abstract:

 OBJECTIVE: To find anti-tumor effective fractions of Carthamus tinctorius,and evaluate the cytotoxic activity of its different effective fractions observed. METHODS:Cytotoxicity of six samples of safflower extract isolated by macroporous resin were evaluated in vitro against K562 (human leukemia cancer),SMMC7721 (human liver cancer), HeLa (human cervical cancer),H1299 and A549 (human lung cancer) by CCK-8 assay. Concentration-effect curves and IC50 values were calculated. RESULTS:Safflower samples showed better cytotoxicity against H1299 and A549 with IC50 values of 16.24 to 189.86 μg/mL,and moderate cytotoxic activity or no activity against K562,SMMC7721 and HeLa. Insoluble fractions of safflower extract had better cytotoxic activity than water-soluble fractions. 95% alcohol elution fraction of the safflower extract had obvious cytotoxicity against five kinds of tumor cell lines with IC50 values of 16.24 to 66.51 μg/mL. CONCLUSION:Safflower extract could inhibit a variety of cancer cells,especially human lung cancer cell. The effective fraction may be the fat soluble components.

Key words: Carthamus tinctorius L., inhibiting tumor assay in vitro, IC50;CCK-8