This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Nungester, W. J. Articles by Rising, J. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Nungester, W. J. Articles by Rising, J. A.

The in Vitro Effect of Seed Extracts (Lectins) on Tumor Cells^*

( Department of Bacteriology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.)

Saline extracts of various strains of beans, peas, and corn, about 70 in all, have been examined for antitumor action against the Flexner-Jobling and Webster rat tumors, the Ehrlich mouse tumor, and the H.Ep. #2 human tumor cells in vitro. The Flexner-Jobling tumor cells were inactivated by six of 44 bean lectins, the Ehrlich cells by eight of twelve corn extracts, and the Walker rat carcinoma was not seriously affected by any of the bean, pea, or corn seed extracts. Growth of the human H.Ep. #2 tumor cells in tissue culture was inhibited by extracts of eight of the 39 strains of beans examined in a dilution of 1:1000. Extracts of the other seeds had no appreciable action on the H.Ep. #2 cells.

^* This work was supported by grants from the Michigan Memorial-Phoenix Project and the Atomic Energy Commission.

Received 10/23/59.