Studies on the Cytotoxicity and Antineoplastic Activity of Methyl Gallate

Han, Du Seok; Lee, Seung Ryong; Jung, Woo Young

Abstract

In order to develop antitumor agent which indicates weak side effects and strong antitumor activity, cytotoxicity and antitumor effects of MG was evaluated by MTT assay and SRB assay of colorimetric assay methods on the cultured NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and human oral epithelioid carcinoma cells (KB cells). KB cells were cultured in EMEM and RPMI 1640 media containing 10% fetal bovine serum, antibiotics and fungizone. After incubation for 24 hrs, the cells were treated with MG by dose dependent manner for 48 hrs under the same condition. The MTT and SRB quantity were measured by ELISA reader (Spectra Max 250, USA). The microscopic study was carried out to observed morphological change, Ag-NORs (argyrophylic nucleolar organizer region) number and PAS positive reacton of cultured KB cells. The results were as follows; 1. The MTT50 were 16677 micrometer in NIH 3T3 cell and 65.55 micrometer in KB cells treated with MG. 2. The SRB50 were 8701.23 micrometer in NIH 3T3 cell and 168.81 micrometer in KB cells treated with MG. 3. The number of Ag-NORs was not significant in cultured NIH 3T3 cells, but the number of Ag-NORs was significantly decreased in cultured KB cells treated with MG. 4. PAS reaction of cultured NIH 3T3 cells was not changed, but PAS reaction of cultured KB cells was changed to negative reaction. 5. Morphological changes of cultured NIH 3T3 cells treated with MG was weak, but KB cell treated with MG was severe. These results indicate that MG have noncytoxicity on NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and high cytotoxicity on KB cells.