DNA strand-nicking principles of Mucuna birdwoodiana

Abstract

During our research program to find DNA strand-scission agents from higher plants, the MeOH extracts of the stems of Mucuna birdwoodiana Tutcher. (Leguminosae) exhibited the most potent activity with an IC50 value of 4.9 μg/ml. Thus, detailed laboratory investigation was performed, and led to the isolation of known compounds, (±)-catechin (1) and (-)-epicatechin (2) as active principles. Compounds 1 and 2 showed significant activity of DNA strand-scission with IC50 values of 10.8 and 7.5 μg/ml, respectively (positive control, bleomycin: IC50 3.3 μg/ml).