Effect of Chemically Transformed Macrocyclic Polyene Antibiotics on Tumor Cells

Abstract

Comparative analysis of the effects of chemically transformed polyene antibiotics pimaricin, nystatin, lucensomycin, amphotericin B, and levorin on biological objects in vivo and in vitro revealed the greatest biological activity of original amphotericin B and levorin with its derivatives. The study also examined the effects of alkyl derivatives of amphotericin B and levorin modified in certain parts of the lactone ring on the lipid and biological membranes. It is established that methylated levorin possesses larger biological activity than the original antibiotic. Examination of the effects of alkyl derivatives of levorin and amphotericin B on cell cultures C6 (rat glioma) and HeLa (human cervical carcinoma) in vitro revealed the antitumor action of methylated levorin and original amphotericin B.