| Abstract: | The cytotoxicity-guided fractionation of the roots of Sophora flavescens (Leguminosae) extracts led to the isolation of 15 active principles 1–15, responsible for cytotoxicity against five kinds of cultured human tumour cell lines, i.e. A549 (non small cell lung), SK-OV-3 (ovary), SK-MEL-2 (skin), XF498 (central nerve system) and HCT-15 (colon), evaluated by SRB method in vitro. Compounds 2–14 were classified as unusual flavonoids occurring exclusively in this species and the proliferation of each of the examined tumour cells were significantly inhibited during continuous exposure to compounds 1–15 for 48 h, respectively. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
