Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Hill GM
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3221498 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct-Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Hill Gabrielle M GM Moriarity Debra M DM Setzer William N WN
Scientia pharmaceutica 20110917 4
Many anti-tumor drugs function by intercalating into DNA. The xanthine alkaloid caffeine can also intercalate into DNA as well as form π-π molecular complexes with other planar alkaloids and anti-tumor drugs. The presence of caffeine could interfere with the intercalating anti-tumor drug by forming π-π molecular complexes with the drug, thereby blocking the planar aromatic drugs from intercalating into the DNA and ultimately lowering the toxicity of the drug to the cancer cells. The cytotoxic ac ...[more]