On the cytotoxity of oxidized phytosterols isolated from photoautotrophic cell cultures of Chenopodium rubrum tested on meal-worms Tenebrio molitor
作者:Werner Meyer、Harald Jungnickel、Markus Jandke、Konrad Dettner、Gerhard Spiteller
DOI:10.1016/s0031-9422(97)00622-5
日期:1998.3
Cell injury-as evoked by oxidative stress, insect attack or ageing-causes lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated acids, e.g. linoleic acid. Hydroperoxides (LOOH) so produced transform fatty acids, terpenes and sterols to epoxides. We describe a bioassay to determine the cytotoxity of sterol oxidation products by measuring the mortality of meal-worms (Tenebrio molitor) after injection of diluted test compounds. LOOH was tested in concentrations from 10(-5) M up to 10(-3) M and developed recognizable mortality (25%, 10(-2) M, 23 hr). A direct relation between activity and concentration was observed. 5,6-Epoxides of phytosterols and derived 3,5,6-trihydroxysteranes have been isolated from Chenopodium rubrum cell cultures. Using 5,6-epoxycholesterol and 3,5,6-trihydroxycholestane as standards of known bioactivity, the toxicity of epoxides of sitosterol and stigmasterol, as well as the trihydroxy compounds thereof, was checked. The phytosterol derivatives are by a factor of five less active than the corresponding cholesterol oxidation products. 5,6-Epoxides and 5.6-chlorohydrins showed half of the activity of the corresponding 3,5,6-trihydroxyphytosterols. These developed highest cytotoxity (40% mortality in 5 x 10(-3) M solution after 23 hr). The activity of 5,6 alpha- and 5,6 beta-epoxides was found to be equal. Metabolism and proposed biological function of oxidized phytosterols is discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights Reserved.