Amygdalin (laetrile) and similar cyanogenic glycosides isolated Peach seeds (Prunus persica) demonstrate anti-tumor promoting activity.

Abstract

Four minor components, along with the major cyanogenic glycosides, amygdalin and prunasin, were isolated from Prunus persica seeds (Persicae Semen; Tounin), and characterized as mandelic acid glycosides (beta-gentiobioside and beta-D-glucoside) and benzyl alcohol glycosides (beta-gentiobioside and beta-D-glucoside). The anti-tumor promoting activity of these compounds was examined in both in vitro and in vivo assays. All of the compounds significantly inhibited the Epstein-Barr virus early antigen activation induced by tumor promoter. In addition, they produced a delay of two-stage carcinogenesis on mouse skin that was comparable in potency to (-)-epigallocatechin gallate from green tea. Structure-activity relationships indicated that a substituent at the benzylic position with glycosidic linkage affected the in vitro and in vivo activities with an order of enhancing potency, CN<COOH<H.