Antitumor activity of deoxypodophyllotoxin isolated from Anthriscus sylvestris: Induction of G2/M cell cycle arrest and caspase-dependent apoptosis.

An active compound having antitumor activity was isolated from the root of Anthriscus sylvestris. Structural studies revealed that it was deoxypodophyllotoxin (DPPT), and its biological activity was evaluated in HeLa human cervix carcinoma cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed that DPPT arrests the cell cycle in the G2/M phase prior to apoptosis. The mechanisms of action of DPPT involve inhibition of tubulin polymerization, dysregulation of cyclin A and cyclin B1 expression, and activation of caspases-3 and -7.