germacranolide/lymphoma

BACKGROUND The t(2;5)(p23;q35) chromosomal translocation results in the expression of the fusion protein NPM/ALK that when expressed in T-lymphocytes gives rise to anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCL). In search of new therapy options the dichloromethane extract of the ethnomedicinal plant

Cnicin was isolated as the major sesquiterpene lactone from Aegialophila pumila Jus. Boiss. The germacranolide salonitenolide was isolated as a minor constituent. Cnicin demonstrated pronounced cytotoxic activity when tested in vitro against TLX-5 mice lymphoma cells.