EFFECTS OF 2 MONOTERPENE ESTERS, VALTRATE AND DIDROVALTRATE, ISOLATED FROM VALERIANA-WALLICHII, ON THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF HEPATOMA-CELLS IN CULTURE

The action of two monoterpene esters isolated from Valeriana wallichii D.C., valtrate and didrovaltrate, has been studied on the ultrastructure of HTC hepatoma cells in culture. These two compounds are cytoxic and inhibit the synthesis of DNA and protein in tumour cells. The study using scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed that, prior to cell death, the two compounds cause the disappearance of membrane microvilli, a large distension of the endoplasmic reticulum and a marked condensation of the mitochondria. Furthermore, valtrate rapidly leads to the rounding and detachment of cells cultivated in layers whereas, in the presence of didrovaltrate, the cells remain spread out and tightly attached to the support, even after treatment with trypsin.