apigenin and Lymphoma

Certain flavonoids having a C-2,3-double bond were reported to show an inhibitory activity against T-lymphocyte proliferation, but not against B-lymphocyte proliferation in vitro. In the course of these studies, vitexicarpin (3',5-dihydroxy-3,4',6,7-tetramethoxyflavone) isolated from the fruits of Vitex rotundifolia was found to show potent inhibition against lymphocyte proliferation. Vitexicarpin inhibited T-lymphocyte proliferation as well as B-lymphocyte proliferation at > 0.1 microM. IC50's were approximately 0.7 microM both for T- and B-cell proliferation. The inhibitory activity of vitexicarpin was reversible. Vitexicarpin also inhibited the growth of certain cancer cell lines, EL-4 and P815.9 (IC50 = 0.25-0.3 microM). These results suggest that vitexicarpin may be a potential therapeutic agent involved in inflammatory/immunoregulatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and lymphomas.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; B-Lymphocytes; Cell Division; Cell Survival; Cells, Cultured; Chamomile; Flavonoids; L Cells; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphoma; Male; Mast-Cell Sarcoma; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Oils, Volatile; Plants, Medicinal; Quercetin; Spleen; T-Lymphocytes; Tumor Cells, Cultured