Nortriterpene constituents from Schisandra sphenanthera

Nine new highly oxygenated nortriterpenoids, pre-schisanartanins E–J (1–6) and sphenadilactones D–F (7–9), together with 17 known ones (10–26), have been isolated from the acetone extract of the roots and stems of Schisandra sphenanthera. The structures of the new metabolites were characterized on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses including 1D and 2D NMR experiments. These compounds were all evaluated for their cytotoxicity against HL-60, SMMC-7721, A549, MCF-7, and SW480 tumor cell lines.     

Cytotoxicity of benzophenanthridine alkaloids from the roots of Zanthoxylum nitidum (Roxb.) DC. var. fastuosum How ex Huang

This work aimed to investigate benzophenanthridine from the roots of Zanthoxylum nitidum (Roxb.) DC. var. fastuosum How ex Huang for the first time. Thirteen benzophenanthridines were isolated, and our results of the cytotoxic activities indicated that compound 6 exhibited the best potency against A549, Hela, SMMC-7721 and EJ, with the IC₅₀ values of 27.50, 37.50, 16.95 and 60.42 μM, respectively. Compounds 7 and 11 also showed strong cytotoxicity when tested against the four human cancer cell lines (A549, Hela, SMMC-7721 and EJ), while only compounds 12 and 13 displayed cytotoxicity in inhibiting BALL-1 proliferation among all the compounds. These results suggested that benzophenanthridines may become a valid alternative of potential basis for new anti-proliferative agents.     

Kadpolysperins A–N,lanostane triterpene acids possessing rich structure types from Kadsura polysperma

Fourteen new lanostane triterpene acids (1–14), and five known analogues (15–19) were isolated from the stems of Kadsura polysperma. Compound 1, with a rearranged tetracyclic skeleton, is an important biogenic precursor of longipedlactone skeleton. Compounds 2–6 are members of 18(13→12)-abeo-lanostane triterpene acids. The structures of new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic evidence. Selected compounds were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against human tumor HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW-480 cell lines.     

Trichiliasinenoids A–C,three 6,7-secomexicanolide limonoids with a 7,29-linkage from Trichilia sinensis

Trichiliasinenoids A–C (1–3), three new limonoids with an unprecedented C-29-C-7 connecting carbon skeleton formed by migration of C-7 from C-6 to C-29 of a mexicanolide-type limonoid precursor were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Trichilia sinensis. Their structures were assigned by spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configurations were determined by X-ray crystallography (1) and ECD calculation (2 and 3). A possible biosynthetic pathway of 1 was also proposed. Compound 2 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against HL-60 cells and weak cytotoxicity against SMMC-7721cells.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 3-Aryl-quinoxaline-2-carbonitrile 1,4-Di-<em>N</em>-oxide Derivatives as Hypoxic Selective Anti-tumor Agents

A series of 3-aryl-2-quinoxaline-carbonitrile 1,4-di-N-oxide derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for hypoxic and normoxic cytotoxic activity against human SMMC-7721, K562, KB, A549 and PC-3 cell lines. Many of these new compounds displayed more potent hypoxic cytotoxic activity compared with TX-402 and TPZ in the tumor cells based evaluation, which confirmed our hypothesis that the replacement of the 3-amine with the substituted aryl ring of TX-402 increases the hypoxic anti-tumor activity. The preliminary SAR revealed that 3-chloro was a favorable substituent in the phenyl ring for hypoxic cytotoxicity and 7-methyl or 7-methoxy substituted derivatives exhibited better hypoxic selectivity against most of the tested cell lines. The most potent compound, 7-methyl-3-(3-chlorophenyl)-quinoxaline-2-carbonitrile 1,4-dioxide (9h) was selected for further anti-tumor evaluation and mechanistic study. It also exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against BEL-7402, HepG2, HL-60, NCI-H460, HCT-116 and CHP126 cell lines in hypoxia with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.31 to 3.16 μM, and preliminary mechanism study revealed that 9h induced apoptosis in a caspase-dependent pathway.     

Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of 1-Substituted 1,2,3-Triazole-Mollugin Derivatives

A new series of mollugin-1,2,3-triazole derivatives were synthesized using a copper(I)-catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of corresponding O-propargylated mollugin with aryl azides. All the compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity on five human cancer cell lines (HL-60, A549, SMMC-7721, SW480, and MCF-7) using MTS assays. Among the synthesized series, most of them showed cytotoxicity and most of all, compounds 14 and 17 exhibited significant cytotoxicity of all five cancer cell lines.     

胡椒基咪唑盐类化合物的合成及生物活性研究

从胡椒酸出发,通过还原、甲磺酸酯化、偶联和成盐四步反应合成了一系列新型的胡椒基咪唑盐类化合物,其结构经¹HNMR, ¹³CNMR,HRMS以及X射线单晶衍射确定.对合成的新化合物进行了体外抗肿瘤细胞毒活性筛选,结果表明,1-((苯并[d][1,3]二氧杂环戊烯-5-基甲基)-3-(2-萘甲基))-5,6-二甲基-1H-苯并[d]咪唑-3-溴盐(30)具有显著的细胞毒活性,对HL-60、SMMC-7721、A-549、MCF-7和SW-480肿瘤细胞株的活性均优于顺铂(DDP),尤其对HL-60肿瘤细胞株表现出较好的选择性细胞毒活性,其IC₅₀值约为顺铂的7.2倍.进一步研究表明,化合物30具有诱导SMMC-7721细胞株在细胞周期G0/G1期阻滞和细胞凋亡的作用.     

Cytotoxic ent-kaurane diterpenoids from Isodon henryi

Five new ent-kaurane diterpenoids, isodonhenrins A-E (1-5), together with thirteen known ones were isolated from the aerial parts of Isodon henryi. Their structures were identified by means of extensive spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configurations of 1 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Most of the diterpenoids were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW480 cell lines. Compound 17 showed significant inhibitory effects on five cell lines, and compounds 6, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 16 exhibited selective activity.     

Senedensiscins A–F: six new eudesmane sesquiterpenoid glucosides from Senecio densiserratus

Six new highly oxygenated eudesmane sesquiterpenoid glucosides, senedensiscins A–F (1–6), were isolated from the aerial parts of Senecio densiserratus. Their structures with the absolute configurations were established on the basis of spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods. These compounds represent an unprecedented type of sesquiterpenoid glucoside with the angeloyl group directly connected to the glucosyl moiety and their cytotoxicity was evaluated against the selected human cell lines, HL-60, SMMC-7721, and HeLa.     

Three new diterpenes from Jatropha curcas

Jatrophalactone (1) and jatrophalone (2), together with jatrophadiketone (3), a 6/6/6 tricyclic diterpene transformed from rhamnofolane skeleton, have been isolated from the methanolic extract of Jatropha curcas. The structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods and further confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The cytotoxicity against selected cell lines was evaluated. Among them, compound 1 displayed cytotoxicity against HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW480 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 8.5, 20.6, 19.7, 20.1, and 19.2 μM, respectively. The possible biosynthetic pathways for 1 and 3 are proposed.     

Triterpenoids from the stems of Kadsura ananosma

An extensive study of the triterpenoids produced by the stems of Kadsura ananosma, has led to the isolation of eleven new ones, kadnanolactones A-I (1-4, 7-11) and kadnanosic acids A (5) and B (6), and six known analogues. Their structures were elucidated mainly by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, and DFT computational methods were applied to validate the stereochemistry of an epoxide in compound 7. All triterpenoids were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, PANC-1, and SK-BR-3 human cancer cells.     

Triterpenoids and diterpenoids from Viburnum chingii

Two new oleanane triterpenoids (1-2) and one new vibsane-type diterpenoid (3), together with 7 known compounds (4-10), were isolated from the leaves of Viburnum chingii. The structures of compounds 1-3 were elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR technique. Cytotoxicity of compounds 1-10 were tested against HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, SK-BR-3, and PANC-1 cell lines. Compound 3 showed significant cytotoxicity against HL-60, SK-BR-3, and PANC-1 cell lines.     

Artematrovirenolides A—D and Artematrolides S—Z,Sesquiterpenoid Dimers with Cytotoxicity against Three Hepatoma Cell Lines from Artemisia atrovirens

Inspired by the intriguing structures and remarkable activities of sesquiterpenoid dimers,12 new sesquiterpenoid dimers,artematrovirenolides A—D(1—4)and artematrolides S—Z(8—12),were isolated from the EtOAc fraction of Artemisia atrovirens through a bioactivity-guided approach.Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic data and absolute configuration was assigned based on single crystal X-ray diffraction data and ECD calculations.Structurally,all compounds are presumably formed via[4+2]cycloaddition involving three connecting model.Compounds 1—4 are four novel hetero-dimeric[4+2]Diels-Alder adducts dimerized from a rotundane-type unit and a guaiane-type monomer,and compounds 5—12 are eight new homo-dimeric[4+2]adducts derived from two guaianolide moieties.A putative biosynthetic pathway for compounds 1—4 was also proposed.Compounds 4,6,7,and 10 demonstrated moderate cytotoxicity against HepG2,SMMC-7721,and Huh7 cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 9.3 to 62.3μmol/L.Interestingly,compounds 5 and 11 manifested cytotoxicity with IC50 values of 13.6 and 12.8(HepG2),18.5 and 13.1(SMMC-7721),and 16.5 and 19.4μmol/L(Huh7),respectively,which were equivalent to the positive control,sorafenib.This investigation suggests that compounds 5 and 11 might be considered as potent antihepatoma candidates and deserve further structural modification and mechanism study.     

Synthesis,characterization, and biological activity of new mixed ammine/amine platinum(IV) complexes

A series of mixed ammine/amine platinum(IV) complexes with lipophilic ligands in their axial positions were designed, synthesized, and spectrally characterized. In vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of these complexes and their lead compounds have been carried out against A549, SMMC-7721, MCF-7, and SW480 human cancer cell lines. The introduction of carboxylate ions as leaving group can improve the aqueous solubility and stability of the platinum(II) complexes. The carboxylato ligands and chloride ligands in the axial position markedly increased the lipophilicity and cytotoxicity of compounds C4 and C5. Particularly, compound C5 showed two to eight times higher cytotoxicity than cisplatin and satraplatin against selected cell lines. For its oral activity and no cross-resistance potentiality, C5 is expected to be an antitumor platinum drug candidate. This novel class of platinum compounds represents a valuable lead in the development of new-generation agents capable of demonstrating cytotoxicity superior to that of the clinically established cisplatin.     

Studies on the constituents of Cimicifuga foetida collected in Guizhou Province and their cytotoxic activities

Two new triterpenoids and a chromone glycoside, namely, 24-epi-cimigenol-3-one (1), foetinoside (2), cimifugin-4'-O-[6″-feruloyl]-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), together with 18 known compounds, were isolated from the rhizomes of Cimicifuga foetida L. collected in Guizhou Province, China. All of the compounds were identified by spectroscopic methods, as well as chemical methods. In the in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of these compounds against 5 human cancer cell lines, cimigenol (8) exerted the most potent cytotoxic activity against SMMC-7721 (7.87?μM) and A-549 (12.16 μM), while cimiacerin B (9) also showed obvious cytotoxicity against the A-549 cell line, with an IC(50) value of 16.77?μM.     

New cytotoxic apigenin derivatives from Selaginella doederleinii

75%aqueous ethanol extract from the whole herbs of Selaginella doederleinii was isolated,and two new apigenin derivatives,doederflavones A(1) and B(2),together with ten known compounds(3-12) were characterized.Their structures were assigned by extensive spectroscopic methods including 1D/2D NMR and HR-ESIMS.Compounds 1-6 bear an aryl substituent at the C-8 or C-6 positions in ring A of apigenin skeleton.Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines A549,MCF-7,SMMC-7721,and LoVo,both of which exhibited significant cytotoxicity against A549 with IC_(50) values of 0.82 μmol/L and 1.32 μmol/L,respectively.     

Design,synthesis, and biological evaluation of sorafenib derivatives containing indole (ketone) semicarbazide analogs as antitumor agents

A series of new sorafenib derivatives was designed and synthesized. The antiproliferative activity of the synthesized compounds against human lung cancer cell (A549), human pancreatic cancer cell (PC-3), human leukemia cell (K562), and human hepatoma cell (SMMC-7721) was evaluated by MTT assay. The results revealed that several compounds displayed more significant antitumor activities than commercial anticancer agent sorafenib against SMMC-7721. In addition, compounds 7a , 7g , 7l , 7m , and 7p represented obvious growth inhibition with IC₅₀ values of 1-9 μM against four cancer cell lines, demonstrating more predominant activities against cancer cells as compared to sorafenib. Furthermore, some structure-activity relationships have also been established. Compounds containing indole and benzene ring substituted by halogen showed better activity than sorafenib. Wound healing assay suggested that cells would be targeted on their migratory capacity by 7g , potentially affecting the migration activity of these tumors. The effects of A549 and PC-3 cell apoptosis induced by compound 7g were significantly increased compared with sorafenib. Importantly, the result of western blot assay showed that 7g inhibited cell growth by suppressing the activity of EGFR, especially the expression of p-EGFR (Tyr1068).     

Structurally diverse diterpenoids from Isodon ternifolius collected from three regions

Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Isodon ternifolius from three regions in Yunnan Province afforded 9 new diterpenoids, ternifoliusins A–I (1–9), together with 26 known diterpenoids. Among them, ternifoliusins A–D possess rare 6,7:8,15-diseco-7,20-olide-6,8-cyclo-ent-kaurane diterpenoid scaffold. The structures of all compounds were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, as well as quantum chemical calculation methods. Moreover, the molecular constitutions and configurations of ternifoliusins A, E, and F (1, 5, 6) were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Ten compounds were assayed for their cytotoxic activity against the HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW-480 human tumor cell lines, and compounds 13, 17, 19, 20, 31 and 34 were demonstrated to be active against all of the five human tumor cell lines.     

Cytotoxic cycloartane triterpenes from the roots of Cimicifuga heracleifolia

Phytochemical investigation on the roots of Cimicifuga heracleifolia afforded nine new 9,19-cycloartane triterpenes (1–9), along with seven known constituents (10–16). The new structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods. Biological evaluation of the compounds against human HL-60, SMMC-7721, A549, MCF-7, and SW-480 cell lines indicated that eight cimigenol-type compounds (1–3, 5, 10–12, 14) showed different levels of cytotoxic activities, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.83 to 23.94 μM. In addition, their structural and bioactive features enriched the structure–activity relationships we proposed before.     

Novel Perbutyrylated Glucose Derivatives of (–)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Inhibit Cancer Cells Proliferation by Decreasing Phosphorylation of the EGFR: Synthesis,Cytotoxicity, and Molecular Docking

Lung cancer is one of the most commonly occurring cancer mortality worldwide. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays an important role in cellular functions and has become the new promising target. Natural products and their derivatives with various structures, unique biological activities, and specific selectivity have served as lead compounds for EGFR. D-glucose and EGCG were used as starting materials. A series of glucoside derivatives of EGCG (7–12) were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro anticancer activity against five human cancer cell lines, including HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW480. In addition, we investigated the structure-activity relationship and physicochemical property–activity relationship of EGCG derivatives. Compounds 11 and 12 showed better growth inhibition than others in four cancer cell lines (HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, and MCF), with IC₅₀ values in the range of 22.90–37.87 μM. Compounds 11 and 12 decreased phosphorylation of EGFR and downstream signaling protein, which also have more hydrophobic interactions than EGCG by docking study. The most active compounds 11 and 12, both having perbutyrylated glucose residue, we found that perbutyrylation of the glucose residue leads to increased cytotoxic activity and suggested that their potential as anticancer agents for further development.