Antiproliferative, cytotoxic and antitumour activity of coumarins isolated from Calophyllum brasiliense.

Among the eight Calophyllum species found on the American continent, Calophyllum brasiliense is the most widely distributed. Chemical analysis of this species has shown the presence of xanthones with cancer chemopreventive properties and antifungal activity. Recently, three new coumarins with antineoplastic properties have been found. In this study, we have evaluated the biological effects of the antiproliferative activity of coumarins isolated from C. brasiliense on the survival, cell cycle and apoptosis of cells in-vitro and their antitumour effects in mice. The cytological study showed that coumarins from C. brasiliense reduce the survival of BMK cells (baby mouse kidney cells) by inducing apoptosis and, to a lesser degree, necrosis. The cell cycle was arrested in S-phase and the division of BMK cells was inhibited. Coumarins had caused a reduction of experimental tumours in 83% of animals by the end of the treatment. Therefore, coumarins have the potential to be used alone or in combination with other antineoplastic drugs, and they might increase the effectiveness of other treatments for cancer.