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Aloe-emodin Is a New Type of Anticancer Agent with Selective Activity against Neuroectodermal Tumors¹

Department of Histology, Microbiology, and Medical Biotechnologies, Medical School [T. P., C. P., G. P.], Division of Oncology and Hematology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School [M. V. G., G. B., M. C.], Department of Human Anatomy and Physiology, Medical School [C. M., A. C.], and Department of Biology [F. D. V., B. S.], University of Padova, 35100 Padova and Istituto Nazionale Fisica della Materia and Department of Physics, University of Genova, 16146 Genova [A. D.], Italy

Here we report that aloe-emodin (AE), a hydroxyanthraquinone present in Aloe vera leaves, has a specific in vitro and in vivo antineuroectodermal tumor activity. The growth of human neuroectodermal tumors is inhibited in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency without any appreciable toxic effects on the animals. The compound does not inhibit the proliferation of normal fibroblasts nor that of hemopoietic progenitor cells. The cytotoxicity mechanism consists of the induction of apoptosis, whereas the selectivity against neuroectodermal tumor cells is founded on a specific energy-dependent pathway of drug incorporation. Taking into account its unique cytotoxicity profile and mode of action, AE might represent a conceptually new lead antitumor drug.

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