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Cytotoxicity and L-amino acid oxidase activity of crude insect drugs

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  • Pharmacology, Toxicology & Pharmaceutics
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Abstract

The cytotoxicity of crude insect drugs was measured using HeLa cells originating from human cervix and uterine cancer, using the dye uptake assay in order to find potential anticancer agents. Three kinds of extracts (buffer, methanol and ethylacetate) were prepared from 26 insects and used as raw materials for the activity assay. Among these, the buffer extracts from Tabanus, Mylabris and Huechys showed a potent anticancer activity, and those from Catharsius, Red ant, Scorpion, Tabanus and Vespae Nidus showed a strong L-amino acid oxidase (AAO) activity as well as cytotoxicity. In contrast, buffer extracts fromCryllotalpa orientalis andApriona germari larvae showed greater/more rapid Hela cell growth than that of other insects.

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Correspondence to Mi Young Ahn.

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Ahn, M.Y., Ryu, K.S., Lee, Y.W. et al. Cytotoxicity and L-amino acid oxidase activity of crude insect drugs. Arch Pharm Res 23, 477–481 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02976576

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