Tsao S W, Yan K T, Yeung H W
Toxicon. 1986;24(8):831-40. doi: 10.1016/0041-0101(86)90108-x.
Trichosanthin is an abortifacient plant protein purified from the Chinese medicinal herb Tian-hua-fen, obtained from root tubers of Trichosanthes kirilowii (Cucurbitaceae). Recently, trichosanthin has also been used in the treatment of trophoblastic tumours, including hydatidiform mole, invasive mole and choriocarcinoma. We have examined the effects of trichosanthin on cultured cells and observed selective cytotoxic effects on choriocarcinoma cells. Mouse melanoma cells were also sensitive to its cytotoxic action. Cytotoxic effects on cultured cells were usually not prominent after 24 hr treatment. Continued incubation for 48 hr in control culture medium after treatment with trichosanthin enhances the cytotoxicity on cells. Our findings suggest that trichosanthin exerts specific cytotoxic activity towards trophoblastic cells.
天花粉蛋白是一种从中药材天花粉中纯化得到的具有堕胎作用的植物蛋白，天花粉取自栝楼（葫芦科）的块根。最近，天花粉蛋白也被用于治疗滋养层细胞瘤，包括葡萄胎、侵蚀性葡萄胎和绒毛膜癌。我们已经研究了天花粉蛋白对培养细胞的影响，并观察到它对绒毛膜癌细胞具有选择性细胞毒性作用。小鼠黑色素瘤细胞对其细胞毒性作用也很敏感。用天花粉蛋白处理24小时后，对培养细胞的细胞毒性作用通常不明显。用天花粉蛋白处理后，在对照培养基中继续孵育48小时可增强对细胞的细胞毒性。我们的研究结果表明，天花粉蛋白对滋养层细胞具有特异性细胞毒活性。
