Biological activity and aryltetraline lignans of Linum persicum

Abstract

A total extract of Linum persicum Kotschy ex Boiss. was investigated for biological activity. The extract was not active against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The extract exhibited significant activity against brine shrimp (Artemia salina). Cytotoxic activity of the extract was evaluated by the MTT assay on five different cell lines. The total extract showed the highest cytotoxicity against human chronic myeloid leukemia (K-562), T-cell lines (Jurkat), and lung carcinoma (A5). Three aryltetralin lignans, podophyllotoxin, 5-methoxypodophyllotoxin, and 5-methoxy podophyllotoxin acetate, were isolated from the methanol extract of the aerial parts of L. persicum, and the structures were confirmed by spectroscopic methods. © 2005 Taylor & Francis Ltd.