Differential responses of lignin derivatives between tumor and normal tissue derived cell lines; effects on cellular adhesion and cell growth.

When cell lines derived from tumor tissues were plated simultaneously with the lignin derivative or dextran sulfate in plastic culture dishes, the cells did not completely adhere to dishes and/or the shape of even the adhering cells changed significantly. On the other hand, using cell lines derived from normal tissues, no significant effect of the polyanions was observed. The present study revealed that the lignin derivatives demonstrated differential responses between cells derived from tumor tissues and from normal tissues, and that the lignin derivatives strongly inhibited the growth of mouse sarcoma cells (FRUKTO) and rat foetal cells (Ad12-3Y1-Z19) transformed with adeno virus type 12.