ABSTRACT
This study determined the selective cytotoxicity of eight coumarin compounds to human renal carcinoma cells, relative to non-carcinoma proximal tubular cells. Selectivity cytotoxicity was observed following exposure to 6-nitro-7-hydroxycoumarin (6-NO(2)-7-OHC) and 7,8-dihydroxycoumarin (7,8-OHC). 6-NO(2)-7-OHC induced cytotoxicity was irreversible in both cell lines, unlike 7,8-OHC, which was reversible in the carcinoma cells only. Mobility shift and BrdU incorporation assays showed that both compounds did not intercalate DNA but had a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on its synthesis. All coumarins studied were found to be non-mutagenic using the standard Ames test. These results would suggest that 6-NO(2)-7-OHC and 7,8-OHC might have a therapeutic role to play in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.
