Enhancement of cytotoxic activity of ascorbate by Acer nikoense Maxim. Extracts.

Millimolar concentrations of ascorbic acid or sodium ascorbate induced cytotoxicity against human glioblastoma T98G cells. Addition of hot water and sodium hydroxide extracts of the bark of Acer nikoense Maxim. synergistically enhanced the cytotoxic activity of ascorbate. Human peripheral blood lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear cells were relatively resistant to ascorbate, the Acer nikoense Maxim. extract, or a combination of them. The extracts stimulated the degradation of ascorbates via ascorbyl radical production, in parallel with their ability to stimulate the cytotoxic activity of ascorbate. The results suggest the medicinal efficacy of the Acer nikoense Maxim. extracts.