Inducing cell apoptosis and treating cancer using...

Details Inducing cell apoptosis and treating cancer using... Inducing cell apoptosis and treating cancer using...

2002-02-20

2003-09-30

Naff, David M. (Department: 1651)

Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions

Designated organic active ingredient containing

Cyclopentanohydrophenanthrene ring system doai

C424S725000, C424S764000, C424S778000, C435S325000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06627623

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Inula britannica
is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb that has been used to treat bronchitis and inflammation. A variety of this plant, known as
Inula britannica chinensis
has been used as an insecticide in certain areas of China. Both
Inula britannica
and
Inula britannica chinensis
have been examined in order to determine the chemical constituents responsible for its pharmacological effects. A variety of sesquiterpenes have been isolated. In the case of
Inula britannica chinensis
, three specific sesquiterpene lactones were identified, including britannilactone, 1-O-acetylbritannilactone, and 1,6-O,O-diacetylbritannilactone (Zhou, B-N. et al. 1993.
Phytochemistry
34:249-252).
Some natural plant extracts have been shown to have activity as chemopreventive agents. An example, taxol, acts by inducing Bcl-2 phosphorylation in cancer cells which leads to programmed cell death (Haldar, S. Et al. 1996.
Cancer Res.
56:1253-1255). The Bcl-2 protein is a member of a family of cytoplasmic proteins which regulates cell death. Bcl-2 has been shown to promote cell survival by inhibiting the process of cell death known as apoptosis. Whereas Bcl-2 acts to inhibit apoptosis, Bax, another cytoplasmic protein, counteracts this protective effect; Bcl-2 is also thought to protect cells from apoptosis by dimerizing with Bax (Hunter, J. J. et al. 1996.
J. Biol. Chem.
271:8521-8524). The phosphorylation of Bcl-2 interferes with the homodimers and subsequent apoptosis (Haldar, S. et al. 1995.
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
92:4507-4511; Haldar, S. Et al. 1996.
Cancer Res.
56:1253-1255). Therefore, therapeutic strategies to inactivate Bcl-2 are being sought as a way to improve clinical results with certain drugs. It has now been found that an extract of
Inula britannica
has activity relevant to prevention and treatment of cancer due to its activity to phosphorylate Bcl-2.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is a composition that induces apoptosis in cells which comprises an extract of
Inula Britannica
or compounds isolated therefrom. In a preferred embodiment the composition comprises sesquiterpene lactone.
Another object of the present invention is a method for inducing apoptosis in cells comprising contacting cells with an extract of
Inula Britannica
or compounds isolated therefrom so that apoptosis is induced.
Yet another object of the present invention is a method for preventing and treating cancer which comprises administering an effective amount of extract of
Inula Britannica
or compounds isolated therefrom.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5853727 (1998-12-01), Cohen
patent: 6051565 (2000-04-01), Shaikenov et al.
patent: 6080741 (2000-06-01), Adekenov
patent: 9-249578 (1987-09-01), None
patent: WO43314 (1999-09-01), None
Zhou et al., Sesquiterpene Lactones from Inual Britannica, Phytochemistry, 1993, vol. 34, No. 1, pp. 249-252.
Park et al., Cytotoxic Sesquiterpene Lactones From Inula Britannica, Planta Medica, 1998, vol. 64, No. 8, pp. 752-754.

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