An extract of Uncaria tomentosa inhibiting cell division and NF-kappaB activity without inducing cell death.

Summary, in English

Previous reports have demonstrated that extracts of the plant Uncaria tomentosa inhibit tumor cell proliferation and inflammatory responses. We have confirmed that C-Med 100®, a hot water extract of this plant, inhibits tumor cell proliferation albeit with variable efficiency. We extend these findings by showing that this extract also inhibits proliferation of normal mouse T and B lymphocytes and that the inhibition is not caused by toxicity or by induction of apoptosis. Further, the extract did not interfere with IL-2 production nor IL-2 receptor signaling. Since there was no discrete cell cycle block in C-Med 100®-treated cells, we propose that retarded cell cycle progression caused the inhibition of proliferation. Collectively, these data suggested interference with a common pathway controlling cell growth and cell cycle progression. Indeed, we provide direct evidence that C-Med 100® inhibits nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activity and propose that this at least partially causes the inhibition of proliferation.

• Author: Christina Silver; Hanna Lindgren; Ronald Pero; Tomas Leanderson; Fredrik Ivars
• Department/s: Diabetes - Immunovirology; Immunology
• Publishing year: 2003
• Language: English
• Pages: 1889-1900
• Publication/Series: International Immunopharmacology
• Volume: 3
• Issue: 13-14
• Links: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=14636838&dopt=Abstract; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2003.07.001
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Topic: Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Keywords: Inhibition; NF-κB; Uncaria tomentosa; Proliferation; Apoptosis
• Status: Published
• Research group: Diabetes - Immunovirology; Immunology
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 1878-1705