Coumarins as Antimitotics

Abstract

Coumarin, Two Of Its Hydroxy Derivatives (Umbelliferone and 4-Hydroxycoumarin), and Two Furano-Coumarins (Psoralen and Xanthotoxin) Were Investigated For Their Potential Use As Mitodepressants. In Sublethal Concentrations These Compounds Stopped Mitosis (Umbelliferone Inhibited 95%) In 24 H Incubations. All Phases Of Mitosis Were Affected In The Same Proportions, Except Umbelliferone, Which Prolonged Prophase and Blocked Metaphase. In Postincubation, The Meristematic Cells Kept In Coumarin Solution Did Not Recover. Postincubation Of Umbelliferone and 4-Hydroxycoumarin Resulted In Mitoses Reaching 40% and 120% Of The Control, Respectively. Furanocoumarins Showed A Few Mitoses In 24 H Postincubation, But After 72 H No Mitoses Occurred. Chromosomal Aberrations Were Not Observed After Coumarin and 4-Hydroxycoumarin Treatment. Umbelliferone Caused Shortening and Thickening Of Chromosomes, Caused Postponement Of Chromatid Separation, Occurrence Of Sticky Ends Leading To Anaphase, and Telophase Bridges. Similar Types Of Aberration, But More Frequent, Were Observed For Furanocoumarins, Which Additionally Showed Severe Aberrations Of Fragmoplast Formation Leading To The Occurrence Of Binucleate Cells, Micronuclei, Some Tetraploid Nuclei With Irregular Surfaces, and Fragmoplasts Located In Distant Areas Of The Cell.