In vitro effect of duclauxin and derivatives of coumarin on nucleic acid and protein synthesis in Ehrlich's Ascites Carcinoma cells (EAC).

The effect was studied of 32 natural and synthetic derivatives of coumarin, dicoumarin, and 4.4'epoxydicoumarin on the uptake of 14C-labelled precursors in nucleic acid (NA) and protein synthesis by EAC cells in vitro. Of the three tested groups of compounds, the most cytotoxic effect was found in the derivatives of coumarin that inhibited, on the same level, incorporation of the added 14C-adenine, 14C-L-valine and 14C-uridine but not 14C-thymidine. The utilization of the present precursors by EAC cells was not affected by epoxydicoumarins. Derivatives of coumarin and dicoumarin inhibited only NA synthesis in in vitro proliferating EAC cells. Of the evaluated compounds, chiefly duclauxin specifically decreased proliferation of EAC cells in vitro.