Phytother Res 2006 May 23; (Read article online)

Kundaković T, Stanojković T, Juranić Z, Kovačević N

The cytotoxicity of naphthazarin derivatives isolated from the roots of Onosma arenaria on human cervix adenocarcinoma cells (HeLa) and leukaemia K562 cells, as well on non-malignant peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was studied. The results show that beta-hydroxyisovalerylalkannin, acetylalkannin and the pigment fraction exhibited high cytotoxicity in vitro against the tested cell lines, as well the healthy PBMC before or after activation with phytohaemagglutinin. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.