Thesis (M.Sc.)--Chulalongkorn University, 2006

This thesis proposes that potential DNA-intercalating anti-cancer drugs possess three characteristics (i) the molecule has a bent shape. (ii) a part of the molecule is planar. (iii) it has at least one functional group that has intermolecular interactions, such as pi-pi interactions or hydrogen bonding, with DNA. 6-Deoxyclitoriacetal is a substance extracted from the dried root of stemona collinsae craib. It has been known to have cytotoxic activity against various types of human carcinoma. This research proposes that it has a good chance to be a DNA-intercalation anti-cancer drug. 6-deoxyclitoriacetal was modified by epoxide ring-opening with morpholine to obtain 4 different structures, compond 1, compound 2, compound 3 and compound 4. The IC[subscript 50] value of compound 4 (0.038 mg/mL) was singificant lower than that of 6-deoxyclitoriacetal (0.108 mg/mL). Moreover, the combinations of 6-deoxyclitoriacetal-prednisolone, 6-deoxyclitoriacetal-podophyllotoxin and prednisolone-podophyllotoxin were tested for cytotoxicity on hep-g2 (Human hepatoblastoma cell line). The combination of 6-deoxyclitoriacetal-podophyllotoxin has synergic cytotoxic effects when the amount of 6-deoxyclitoriacetal is between 75-90%wt, based on the total amount of the two compounds.