In vitro cell-toxicity of Peganum harmala alkaloids on cancerous cell-lines

The alkaloidic fraction of the methanol extract of Peganum harmala seeds was tested in vitro on three tumoral cell-lines: UCP-Med and Med-mek Carcinoma, and UCP-Med Sarcoma. Proliferation was significantly reduced at all tested concentrations (20-120 μg/ml) during the first 24 h of contact. A cell lysis effect occurred after 24 h and increased thereafter to complete cell death within 48-72 h, depending on tested concentration. Copyright (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.