Inhibition of the cell cycle and induction of apoptosis by Noclosan and Loxat in cell lines irrespective of their origin.

The effects of Noclosan and Loxat, extracts from the potato tuber, on cancer cell lines and human endothelial cells in culture were examined with respect to cell cycle inhibition and apoptosis induction. Both components effect the cell cycle of the cancer cell lines, most likely by inhibition of the M to G1-phase transition. Furthermore, both compounds very effectively induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Strikingly, combination of both compounds revealed a synergistic effect, that can be explained by the observation that induction of apoptosis occurs through both the mitochondrial and the non-mitochondrial route. Preliminary studies suggest that the components affect the SAPK/JNK cell signaling pathway.