Differentiation-inducing effect of magnolialide, a 1β-hydroxyeudesmanolide isolated from Cichorium intybus, on human leukemia cells

Abstract

Cichorium intybus contains two 1β-hydroxyeudesmanolides, magnolialide and artesin, together with several constituents. Magnolialide inhibits the growth of several tumor cell lines and appears to induce differentiation of human leukemia HL-60 and U-937 cells to monocyte/macrophage-like cells. Another 1β-hydroxyeudesmanolide, artesin, and other constituents were inactive. The content of magnolialide was shown to be highest in the leaves of Inje cultivar among the cultivars investigated in this study.