The inhibitory activity of ceramide on cancer cells was evaluated and its cytotoxicity on different cancer cell lines was measured. Ceramide was separated from bovine brain and spinal cord, and extracted by organic solvents. The crude extract was purified by using silicic acid column. Detection and identification of purified extract were carried out by using three assays: visualization, spectrophotometry and infrared. Cytotoxic effect of different concentrations (7, 15, 30 and 60 μM) of ceramide on HEp-2, RD, AMGM5, REFAM3 and AMN3 cancer cell lines was studied. Results showed that ceramide at 30 μM imposed cytotoxic activity on all cancer cell lines especially on AMGM5. Effect of ceramide at 30 μM on cell division of human lymphocyte was also examined. Significant reductions in mitotic and blast indices were observed. In addition, No genotoxic effects or chromosomal aberration were detected in lymphocyte chromosomes when ceramide was tested in vitro.
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