Furoquinolines and dihydrooxazole alkaloids with cytotoxic activity from the stem bark of Araliopsis soyauxii.
Abstract Two new furoquinoline alkaloids, maculine B (1) and kokusaginine B (2) and one new dihydrooxazole alkaloid, veprisazole (3), along with four known compounds namely, N13-methyl-3-methoxyrutaecarpine (4), flindersiamine (5), skimmianine (6) and tilianin (7) were isolated from the methanol extract of the stem bark of Araliopsis soyauxii Engl. by various chromatographic methods. Their structures were determined using spectrometry and spectroscopic techniques including NMR and MS. The cytotoxicity of the new compounds compared to that of doxorubicin, the reference anticancer compound, was determined on a panel of nine cancer cell lines including sensitive and drug resistant phenotypes. …
Bioactivity of fractions and constituents of Piper capense fruits towards a broad panel of cancer cells.
Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Piper capense is a medicinal spice whose fruits are traditionally used as aqueous decoction to heal several ailments such as trypanosomiasis, helminthic infections, and cancer. Aim of the study. (1) To perform phytochemical investigation of the methanol extract of Piper capense; (2) to evaluate the cytotoxicity of botanicals (PCF, fractions PCFa-e), isolated phytochemicals on a broad panel of animal and human cancer cell lines; (3) to evaluate the induction of apoptosis of the most active samples. Material and methods Resazurin reduction assay (RRA) was used to determine the cytotoxicity of the studied samples. Cell cycle distribution (PI staining), a…
Cytotoxicity of compounds from Xylopia aethiopica towards multi-factorial drug-resistant cancer cells.
Abstract Introduction Multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer represent a major hurdle in chemotherapy. Previously, the methanol extract of the medicinal spice Xylopia aethiopica displayed considerable cytotoxicity against multidrug resistant (MDR) cancer cell lines. Methods The present study was designed to assess the cytotoxicity of compounds, 16 α -hydroxy- ent -kauran-19-oic acid ( 2 ), 3,4′,5-trihydroxy-6″,6″-dimethylpyrano[2,3-g]flavone ( 3 ), isotetrandrine ( 5 ) and trans -tiliroside ( 6 ) derived from the methanol crude extract of Xylopia aethiopica against 9 drug-sensitive and -resistant cancer cell lines. The resazurin reduction assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of these c…
Cytotoxicity of seven naturally occurring phenolic compounds towards multi-factorial drug-resistant cancer cells
Abstract Introduction In medical oncology, multi-drug resistance (MDR) of cancer cells continues to be a major impediment. We are in quest of novel anti-proliferative agents to overcome drug-resistant tumor cells. Methods In the present study, we investigated the cytotoxicity of 7 naturally occurring phenolic compounds including two isoflavonoids alpinumisoflavone ( 1 ) and laburnetin ( 2 ), one biflavonoid amentoflavone ( 3) , three lignans pycnanthulignene A ( 4 ), pycnanthulignene B ( 5 ), and syringaresinol ( 7 ) and one xanthone, euxanthone ( 6 ) against 9 drug-sensitive and MDR cancer cell lines. The resazurin reduction assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of these compounds, w…
Cytotoxic flavonoids from two Lonchocarpus species
A new isoflavone, 4′-prenyloxyvigvexin A (1) and a new pterocarpan, (6aR,11aR)-3,8-dimethoxybitucarpin B (2) were isolated from the leaves of Lonchocarpus bussei and the stem bark of Lonchocarpus eriocalyx, respectively. The extract of L. bussei also gave four known isoflavones, maximaisoflavone H, 7,2′-dimethoxy-3′,4′-methylenedioxyisoflavone, 6,7,3′-trimethoxy-4′,5′-methylenedioxyisoflavone, durmillone; a chalcone, 4-hydroxylonchocarpin; a geranylated phenylpropanol, colenemol; and two known pterocarpans, (6aR,11aR)-maackiain and (6aR,11aR)-edunol. (6aR,11aR)-Edunol was also isolated from the stem bark of L. eriocalyx. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectrosco…
Cytotoxicity of the crude extract and constituents of the bark of Fagara tessmannii towards multi-factorial drug resistant cancer cells.
Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Fagara tessmannii Engl. is an African medicinal plant used in Cameroonian traditional medicine to treat various types of cancers. Aim of the study This work was designed to determine the cytotoxicity of the crude extract (FTB), fractions (FTBa-d) and compounds isolated from the bark of Fagara tessmannii, namely lupeol (1), fagaramide (2), zanthoxyline (3), hesperidin (4), nitidine chloride (5), fagaridine chloride (6), and β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7). The study was extended to the mode of induction of apoptosis by FTB, compounds 5 and 6. Materials and methods The resazurin reduction assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of samples. …
Cytotoxicity of three naturally occurring flavonoid derived compounds (artocarpesin, cycloartocarpesin and isobavachalcone) towards multi-factorial drug-resistant cancer cells.
Abstract Introduction Cancer remains an aggressive deadly disease, if drug resistance develops. This problem is aggravated by the fact that multiple rather than single mechanisms are involved in resistance and that multidrug resistance (MDR) phenomena cause inefficacy of many clinical established anticancer drugs. We are seeking for novel cytotoxic phytochemicals to combat drug-resistant tumour cells. Methods In the present study, we investigated the cytotoxicity of three naturally occurring flavonoids including two flavones artocarpesin (1) and cycloartocarpesin (2) and one chalcone, isobavachalcone (3) against 9 drug-sensitive and MDR cancer cell lines. The resazurin reduction assay was u…
Harmful and Protective Effects of Phenolic Compounds from African Medicinal Plants
Phenolic phytochemicals include flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, lignans, coumarins, quinones, xanthones, cucurmin, and several other plant compounds owing hydroxyl group bonded directly to an aromatic hydrocarbon group. In plants, they play a variety of protective effects against abiotic stresses like UV light or biotic stresses such as predator and pathogen attacks. This role is exploited by humans to treat several ailments including bacterial, fungal, protozoal and viral infections, inflammation, cancer, and diabetes. Numbers of them are known to display direct protection on cells or organs in humans and animals. In contrast, some of others rather have harmful or toxic effects. In th…
Cytotoxicity of a naturally occurring furoquinoline alkaloid and four acridone alkaloids towards multi-factorial drug-resistant cancer cells
Abstract Introduction Chemotherapy is one of the preferred mode of treatment of malignancies, but is complicated by the expression of diverse resistance mechanisms of cancer cells. Methods In the present study, we investigated the cytotoxicity of five alkaloids including a furoquinoline montrofoline (1) and four acridones namely 1-hydroxy-4-methoxy-10-methylacridone (2), norevoxanthine (3), evoxanthine (4), 1,3-dimethoxy-10-methylacridone (5) against 9 drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant (MDR) cancer cell lines. The resazurin reduction assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of these compounds, whilst caspase-Glo assay was used to detect caspase activation. Cell cycle, mitochondrial …
Cytotoxicity of 18 Cameroonian medicinal plants against drug sensitive and multi-factorial drug resistant cancer cells
Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Cameroonian medicinal plants are traditionally used to treat many ailments, including cancer and related diseases. Cancer is characterized as a condition with complex signs and symptoms. It has been recommended that ethnopharmacological usages such as immune and skin disorders, inflammatory, infectious, parasitic and viral diseases should be taken into account when selecting plants for anticancer screenings, since these reflect disease states bearing relevance to cancer or cancer-like symptoms. Aim of the study The present study aims at investigating 20 methanol extracts from 15 Cameroonian medicinal plants on a panel of human cancer cell lines, inclu…
Cytotoxic benzylbenzofuran derivatives from Dorstenia kameruniana
Abstract Chromatographic separation of the extract of the roots of Dorstenia kameruniana (family Moraceae) led to the isolation of three new benzylbenzofuran derivatives, 2-(p-hydroxybenzyl)benzofuran-6-ol (1), 2-(p-hydroxybenzyl)-7-methoxybenzofuran-6-ol (2) and 2-(p-hydroxy)-3-(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)benzyl)benzofuran-6-ol(3) (named dorsmerunin A, B and C, respectively), along with the known furanocoumarin, bergapten (4). The twigs of Dorstenia kameruniana also produced compounds 1–4 as well as the known chalcone licoagrochalcone A (5). The structures were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The isolated compounds displayed cytotoxicity against the sensitive CCRF-CEM and …
Cytotoxicity of a naturally occuring spirostanol saponin, progenin III, towards a broad range of cancer cell lines by induction of apoptosis, autophagy and necroptosis
Abstract This study was aimed to investigate the cytotoxic potential of a natural compound, progenin III on a broad range of cancer cell lines, including various sensitive and drug-resistant phenotypes. The cytotoxicity, progenin III-induced autophagic, ferroptotic and necroptotic cell death were evaluated by the resazurin reduction assay (RRA). Spectrophotometric analysis of caspases activity was performed using caspase-Glo assay. Flow cytometry was applied for cell cycle analysis (PI staining), apoptosis (annexin V/PI staining), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) (JC-1) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (H2DCFH-DA). Progenin III and the reference molecule, doxorubicin exerted cytotoxi…
Cytotoxic Compounds from the Fruits of Uapaca togoensis towards Multifactorial Drug-Resistant Cancer Cells
Cancer cells may rapidly acquire multidrug resistance, mainly due to the presence of adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporters, epidermal growth factor receptor, or mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene. This work was designed to assess the cytotoxicity of the methanol crude extracts and compounds from the fruits of Uapaca togoensis, namely, β-amyryl acetate (1), 11-oxo-α-amyryl acetate (2), lupeol (3), pomolic acid (4), futokadsurin B (5), arborinin (6), and 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl sitosterol (7) against nine drug sensitive and multidrug-resistant cancer cell lines. The resazurin reduction assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the fruits of U. togoensis and compound…
Potential of Central, Eastern and Western Africa Medicinal Plants for Cancer Therapy: Spotlight on Resistant Cells and Molecular Targets
Cancer remains a major health hurdle worldwide and has moved from the third leading cause of death in the year 1990 to second place after cardiovascular disease since 2013. Chemotherapy is one of the most widely used treatment modes; however, its efficiency is limited due to the resistance of cancer cells to cytotoxic agents. The present overview deals with the potential of the flora of Central, Eastern and Western African (CEWA) regions as resource for anticancer drug discovery. It also reviews the molecular targets of phytochemicals of these plants such as ABC transporters, namely P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multi drug-resistance-related proteins (MRPs), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP,…
Cytotoxic phytochemicals from the crude extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruits towards multi-factorial drug resistant cancer cells.
Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Tetrapleura tetraptera is an African medicinal spice used in traditional medicine to treat several ailments including cancer. Aim of the study The present study was designed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the dichloromethane-methanol (1:1) extract of the fruits of Tetrapleura tetraptera (TTF) and its constituents: (3R, 4S)-3,4-dimethyloxetan-2-one (1), luteolin (2), stigmasterol (4), 3-O-[6′-O-undecanoyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl]stigmasterol (6), olean-12-en-3-β-O-D-glucopyranoside (7), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-D-glucopyranosylurs-12-en-28-oic acid (8), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-27-hydroxyolean-12-ene-28-oic acid (9), methyl…
Botanicals and phytochemicals from the bark of Hypericum roeperianum (Hypericaceae) had strong antibacterial activity and showed synergistic effects with antibiotics against multidrug-resistant bacteria expressing active efflux pumps
Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Infections due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria constitute a real problem in the public health worldwide. Hypericum roeperianum Schimp. ex A. Rich (Hypericaceae) is used traditionally for treatment of various ailments such as abdominal pains, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, and bacterial diseases. Aim of the study This study was aimed at investigating the antibacterial and antibiotic-modifying activity of the crude methanol extracts (HRB), ethyl-acetate soluble fraction (HRBa), residual material (HRBb), and 11 compounds from the bark of Hypericum roeperianum against multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria expressing active efflux pumps. …
8,8-bis-(Dihydroconiferyl)-diferulate displayed impressive cytotoxicity towards a panel of human and animal cancer cells
Abstract Background Recalcitrant cancers appear as a major obstacle to chemotherapy, prompting scientists to intensify the search for novel drugs to tackle the cell lines expressing multi-drug resistant (MDR) phenotypes. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antiproliferative potential of a ferrulic acid derivative, 8,8-bis-(dihydroconiferyl)-diferulate (DHCF2) on a panel of 18 cancer cell lines, including various sensitive and drug-resistant phenotypes, belonging to human and animals. The mode of induction of cell death by this compound was further studied. Methods The antiproliferative activity, autophagy, ferroptotic and necroptotic cell death were evaluated by the resazu…
Cytotoxicity of ungeremine towards multi-factorial drug resistant cancer cells and induction of apoptosis, ferroptosis, necroptosis and autophagy
Abstract Background Successful cancer chemotherapy is hampered by resistance of cancer cells to established anticancer drugs. Numerous natural products reveal cytotoxicity towards tumor cells. Purpose The present study was aimed to determine the cytotoxicity of a betaine-type alkaloid, ungeremine, towards 9 cancer cell lines including various sensitive and drug-resistant phenotypes. The mode of action of this compound was further investigated. Methods The cytotoxicity, ferroptotic and necroptotic cell death were determined by the resazurin reduction assay. Caspase activation was evaluated using the caspase-Glo assay. Flow cytometry was applied for the analysis of cell cycle analysis (PI sta…
Prospecting for cytotoxic and antiprotozoal 4-aryl-4H-chromenes and 10-aryldihydropyrano[2,3-f]chromenes.
Different studies reported that genetic predisposition or metabolic dysfunction are the risk factors for cancer. Infectious parasitic diseases were listed among factors that predispose to cancer. Because of the resemblance between the life cycle of cancer cells and some parasites, this study aimed to prepare pyran derivatives with cytotoxic and antiprotozoal potencies. Therefore, 7 chromenes, 10 pyranocoumarins, and an unexpected intermediate were obtained from a multi-reagent one-pot reaction. These compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity on sensitive and resistant leukemia cancer cells lines and against two protozoan parasites, namely Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania amazonensis a…
Cytotoxicity of botanicals and isolated phytochemicals from Araliopsis soyauxii Engl. (Rutaceae) towards a panel of human cancer cells.
Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Araliopsis soyauxii Engl. (Rutaceae) is a Cameroonian medicinal plant traditionally used to treat lung diseases, malaria, and gonorrhea. It has been demonstrated that infectious disease contribute to about 20% of all human tumours. Aims of the study (1) To perform a phytochemical investigation of the dichloromethane-methanol 1:1 extracts of the bark (ASB), roots (ASR), and leaves (ASL) from Araliopsis soyauxii; (2) to evaluate the cytotoxicity of extracts and isolated compounds; (3) to determine the mode of induction of apoptosis of ASB and kihadanin B (12). Materials and methods Fourteen constituents of the crude extracts were isolated by column chro…
Cytotoxicity of epunctanone and four other phytochemicals isolated from the medicinal plants Garcinia epunctata and Ptycholobium contortum towards multi-factorial drug resistant cancer cells.
Abstract Introduction Resistance of cancer cells is a serious impediment to chemotherapy and several phytochemicals are active against multi-drug resistant (MDR) phenotypes. The cytotoxicity of five naturally occurring compounds: betulin (1), mundulea lactone (2), seputhecarpan A (3), seputheisoflavone (4) and epunctanone (5) was evaluated on a panel of 9 cancer cell lines including various sensitive and drug-resistant cell lines. The modes of action of compound 5 were further investigated. Methods The resazurin reduction assay was used to evaluate cytotoxicity of samples and ferroptotic cell death induced by compound 5; caspase-Glo assay was used to detect the activation of caspases in CCR…
Cytotoxicity of isoflavones and biflavonoids from Ormocarpum kirkii towards multi-factorial drug resistant cancer.
Abstract Background While incidences of cancer are continuously increasing, drug resistance of malignant cells is observed towards almost all pharmaceuticals. Several isoflavonoids and flavonoids are known for their cytotoxicity towards various cancer cells. Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity of isoflavones: osajin (1), 5,7-dihydroxy-4ˈ-methoxy-6,8-diprenylisoflavone (2) and biflavonoids: chamaejasmin (3), 7,7″-di-O-methylchamaejasmin (4) and campylospermone A (5), a dimeric chromene [diphysin(6)] and an ester of ferullic acid with long alkyl chain [erythrinasinate (7)] isolated from the stem bark and roots of the Kenyan medicinal plant, Ormocarpum kirkii. The m…
A naturally occuring triterpene saponin ardisiacrispin B displayed cytotoxic effects in multi-factorial drug resistant cancer cells via ferroptotic and apoptotic cell death
WOS: 000432722700010
Cytotoxicity of two naturally occurring flavonoids (dorsmanin F and poinsettifolin B) towards multi-factorial drug-resistant cancer cells.
Abstract Introduction The expression of diverse resistance mechanisms in cancer cells is one of the major barriers to successful cancer chemotherapy. Methods In the present study, we assessed the cytotoxicity of two naturally occurring flavonoids dorsmanin F ( 1 , a flavanone) and poinsettifolin B ( 2 , a chalcone) against 9 drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant (MDR) cancer cell lines. The resazurin reduction assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of these compounds, whilst caspase-Glo assay was used to detect caspase activation. Cell cycle, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were all analysed via flow cytometry. Results Compounds 1 and…
Cytotoxic flavonoids from two Lonchocarpus species
A new isoflavone, 4′-prenyloxyvigvexin A (1) and a new pterocarpan, (6aR,11aR)-3,8-dimethoxybitucarpin B (2) were isolated from the leaves of Lonchocarpus bussei and the stem bark of Lonchocarpus eriocalyx, respectively. The extract of L. bussei also gave four known isoflavones, maximaisoflavone H, 7,2′-dimethoxy-3′,4′-methylenedioxyisoflavone, 6,7,3′-trimethoxy-4′,5′-methylenedioxyisoflavone, durmillone; a chalcone, 4-hydroxylonchocarpin; a geranylated phenylpropanol, colenemol; and two known pterocarpans, (6aR,11aR)-maackiain and (6aR,11aR)-edunol. (6aR,11aR)-Edunol was also isolated from the stem bark of L. eriocalyx. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectrosco…
N-acetylglycoside of oleanolic acid (aridanin) displays promising cytotoxicity towards human and animal cancer cells, inducing apoptotic, ferroptotic and necroptotic cell death
Abstract Background The discovery of novel phytochemicals represents a reasonable approach to fight malignancies, especially those which are resistant to standard chemotherapy. Purpose We evaluated the cytotoxic potential of a naturally occurring N-acetylglycoside of oleanolic acid, aridanin, on 18 cancer cell lines, including sensitive and drug-resistant phenotypes mediated by P-glycoprotein, BCRP, p53 knockout, deletion-mutated EGFR, or BRAF mutations. Furthermore, metastasizing B16/F10 cells, HepG2 hepatocarcinoma and normal AML12 hepatocytes were investigated. The mechanisms of aridanin-induced cell death was further investigated. Methods The resazurin reduction assay (RRA) was applied …
Cytotoxicity and modes of action of 4'-hydroxy-2',6'-dimethoxychalcone and other flavonoids toward drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant cancer cell lines.
Abstract Introduction Resistance of cancer to chemotherapy is a main cause in treatment failure. Naturally occurring chalcones possess a wide range of biological activities including anti-cancer effects. In this work, we evaluated the antiproliferative activity of three chalcones [4′-hydroxy-2′,6′-dimethoxychalcone ( 1 ), cardamomin ( 2 ), 2′,4′-dihydroxy-3′,6′-dimethoxychalcone ( 3 )], and four flavanones [( S )-(–)-pinostrobin ( 4 ), ( S )-(–)-onysilin ( 5 ) and alpinetin ( 6 )] toward nine cancer cell lines amongst which were multidrug resistant (MDR) types. Methods The resazurin reduction assay was used to detect the antiproliferative activity of the studied samples whilst flow cytometr…
Harmful and Protective Effects of Terpenoids from African Medicinal Plants
Terpenoids represent the most widespread group of natural products and can be found in all classes of living things. Many defensive compounds include sesquiterpenoids and diterpenoids from angiosperm species. Several terpenoids are biologically active and are exploited in the fight against cancer, malaria, inflammation, and a variety of infectious diseases. Nonetheless, some compounds of this group showed toxic effects causing gastrointestinal problems or central nervous system manifestations among others. Several bioactive terpenoids were identified in African medicine with numbers of them having organ-protective effects while few are known for their nonbeneficial properties for humans. In…
Collateral sensitivity of natural products in drug-resistant cancer cells
Cancer chemotherapy is frequently hampered by drug resistance. Concepts to combine anticancer drugs with different modes of action to avoid the development of resistance did not provide the expected success in the past, because tumors can be simultaneously non-responsive to many drugs (e.g. the multidrug resistance phenotype). However, tumors may be specifically hypersensitive to other drugs - a phenomenon also termed collateral sensitivity. This seems to be a general biological mechanism, since it also occurs in drug-resistant Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here, we give a timely and comprehensive overview on hypersensitivity in resistant cancer cells towards natural produc…
Biopiracy versus One-World Medicine-From colonial relicts to global collaborative concepts.
Abstract Background Practices of biopiracy to use genetic resources and indigenous knowledge by Western companies without benefit-sharing of those, who generated the traditional knowledge, can be understood as form of neocolonialism. Hypothesis The One-World Medicine concept attempts to merge the best of traditional medicine from developing countries and conventional Western medicine for the sake of patients around the globe. Study design Based on literature searches in several databases, a concept paper has been written. Legislative initiatives of the United Nations culminated in the Nagoya protocol aim to protect traditional knowledge and regulate benefit-sharing with indigenous communiti…
Steroidal saponins from Raphia vinifera and their cytotoxic activity
Abstract Phytochemical analysis of the fruits of Raphia vinifera led to the isolation of four new steroidal saponins (1–4), along with six known secondary metabolites (6–10). The structures of the isolated compounds were determined based on the analyses of NMR and mass spectrometric data, and chemical degradation reactions. Among the compounds tested, 1 and 4 showed the most promising cytotoxic activity against the drug-sensitive CCRF-CEM leukemia cell lines, with IC50 values of 3.55 µM and 7.14 µM, respectively.
The alkaloid, soyauxinium chloride, displays remarkable cytotoxic effects towards a panel of cancer cells, inducing apoptosis, ferroptosis and necroptosis.
Abstract The cytotoxic potential of a naturally occurring indoloquinazoline alkaloid, soyauxinium chloride (SCHL), was determined on a broad panel of animal and human cancer cell lines, including various sensitive and drug-resistant phenotypes. The cytotoxicity, SCHL-induced autophagic, ferroptotic, and necroptotic cell death were evaluated by the resazurin reduction assay (RRA). Caspase-Glo assay was used to detect the activity of caspases using spectrophotometric analysis. Flow cytometry was applied for cell cycle analysis (PI staining), apoptosis (annexin V/PI staining), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) (JC-1) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (H2DCFH-DA). SCHL and doxorubicin (ref…
Cytotoxicity and mode of action of a naturally occurring naphthoquinone, 2-acetyl-7-methoxynaphtho[2,3-b]furan-4,9-quinone towards multi-factorial drug-resistant cancer cells
Abstract Introduction Malignacies are still a major public concern worldwide and despite the intensive search of new chemotherapeutic agents, treatment still remains a challenging issue. The present study was designed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of 2-acetyl-7-methoxynaphtho[2,3-b]furan-4,9-quinone (AMNQ) isolated from the bark of Milletia versicolor towards a panel of drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant (MDR) cancer cell lines. Methods The resazurin reduction assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of AMNQ against 9 drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant (MDR) cancer cell lines. Cell cycle, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and levels of reactive oxygen species were all analyze…