Cytotoxic activity of labdane type diterpenes against human leukemic cell lines in vitro.

Nine labdane type diterpenes isolated from the plant Cistus creticus subsp. creticus and from the resin "Ladano" which is excreted on the surface of the leaves and stems of this plant, were examined for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against 14 human leukemic cell lines. Compound 1, (13E)-labd-13-ene-8 alpha,15-diol, exhibited cytotoxic activity against 13 of the cell lines tested, while compound 2, (13E)-labd-7,13-dienol, was active only against HL60 cells. Further compound 1 was examined for its effect on the uptake of [3H]-thymidine as a marker of DNA synthesis.