Antitumor activities of an anthraquinone fraction isolated from in vitro cultures of Ophiorrhiza rugosa var decumbens.

The biological effects of the anthraquinone fraction (AQf) isolated from in vitro cultures of Ophiorrhiza rugosa Wall. var decumbens (Rubiaceae) were evaluated. AQf showed differential activity on reactive oxygen species; it mediated the generation of superoxide radical and inhibited hydroxyl radical and lipid peroxidation. No considerable nitric oxide scavenging activity was observed for AQf. The AQf induced 50% cytotoxicity in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma and Dalton's lymphoma ascites at concentrations of 130 and 60 µg/mL, respectively. It effectively reduced the inflammation induced by carrageenan in mice. An AQf concentration of 200 mg/kg body weight reduced solid tumor progression in mice. It also prolonged the life span of ascites tumor-bearing mice compared with control mice.