An Efficient Method for the Isolation of Toxins from Pteridium aquilinum and Evaluation of Ptaquiloside Against Cancer and Non-cancer Cells
Courtney Williams, Simon J. Allison, Roger M. Phillips, P. Alex Linley, Colin W. Wright
Abstract
), is well known for its toxic effects on livestock due principally to the carcinogenic constituent ptaquiloside ( 1: ), although other toxins are present including the cyanogenic glycoside, prunasin ( 2: ). Here, we report an improved and relatively "green" process for the isolation of 1: and 2: from fresh bracken fronds and the evaluation of 1: for cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines. The results indicate that 1: displays selective toxicity against cancer cells relative to noncancer retinal epithelial cells, and the improved method for the isolation of 1: is expected to facilitate further exploration of its pharmacological properties.
Topics & Concepts
Pteridium aquilinumBrackenFernCancerFrondIsolation (microbiology)Cancer cellGlycosideBiologyCarcinogenCytotoxicityChemistryTraditional medicineToxicologyCancer researchBiochemistryBotanyMedicineMicrobiologyGeneticsIn vitroPlant Toxicity and Pharmacological PropertiesSesquiterpenes and Asteraceae StudiesPhytochemistry and Biological Activities