Potent anti-tumor activity and low toxicity of tubeimoside 1 isolated from Bolbostemma paniculatum.

Bolbostemma paniculatum (Maxim.) Franquet (Cucurbitaceae) is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant (1), from which tubeimoside 1 was isolated. The antitumor activity and toxicity of tubeimoside 1 was investigated in vivo and in vitro. The results showed that tubeimoside 1 exerts potent anti-tumor activity with low toxicity. The compound inhibited DNA synthesis and induced phenotypic reverse transformation of tumor cells.