ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was preparation of modified forms of natural zeolite of the clinoptilolite type with different content of pharmacologically active natural substances escin and horse chestnut extract and their characterization by infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, thermal analysis, röntgen diffraction powder technique, and determination of the surface areas and the pore volumes by low-temperature adsorption of nitrogen. Escin and horse chestnut extract have also been investigated by atomic force microscopy. The analyses confirmed the presence of escin and horse chestnut extract in the modified zeolitic products. The modified forms of natural zeolite of the clinoptilolite type with low content of escin and horse chestnut extract have been used for preliminary in vitro study of their anticancer effects on cancer cell lines by an in vitro colorimetric assay for assessing cell viability. To understand the growth inhibitory effects, the human cervical carcinoma cells, human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, breast cancer cells, human alveolar basal epithelial cells, and human breast adenocarcinoma cells were treated with various doses of the modified zeolitic products. The modified forms were the most effective in adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells.