Gillet, Marie-Claire[Université de Liège - ULg > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques > Histologie - Cytologie - Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques >]
[en] Strychnos melinoniana ; Strychnos usambarensis ; melinonine F ; cancer cells ; DNA intercalation
[en] The cellular effects of melinonine F, an alkaloid isolated from STRYCHNOS MELINONIANA (South America) and STRYCHNOS USAMBARENSIS (Central Africa), are analysed in cancer or normal cells in culture. A cytotoxic action is noted in both types of cells, at least for relatively high concentrations. These effects are probably due to interaction of the drug with chromatin. Physico-chemical analysis demonstrates partial intercalation of melinonine F on pure DNA IN VITRO.