Inclusion Complex of Podophyllotoxin with γ‐Cyclodextrin: Preparation,Characterization, Anticancer Activity,Water‐Solubility and Toxicity

An inclusion complex of podophyllotoxin (PPT) with γ‐cyclodextrin (γ‐CD) was prepared. The behavior, characterization, and water solubility of the inclusion complex were carefully investigated via fluorescence spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction analysis, and ¹H and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Furthermore, antitumor activity to human cancer lines and toxicity in mice were studied. Results showed that the inclusion complex formed in a 1:1 ratio with a considerable apparent stability constant K_s (4245.5 L·mol^?1). Water solubility was considerably improved. In addition, the anticancer activity of the inclusion complex was better than that of cis‐platinum (DDP, positive control). Most importantly, the toxicity of podophyllotoxin inclusion complex reduced and became more safety to mice which will be great valuable to research its applications as a kind of antitumor drug to human in the further.     

Tuned C?H Functionalization to Construct Aza‐Podophyllotoxin/Aza‐Conidendrin Derivatives by Means of Domino Cyclization

An efficient domino cyclization method for the construction of aza‐podophyllotoxin/aza‐conidendrin derivatives has been established. Reactions of different dienes with aryl halides in the presence of a palladium catalytic system produced different kinds of podophyllotoxin derivatives through a highly regioselective C? H functionalization. Treatment of dienes with aryl halides that have electron‐withdrawing substituents on the phenyl ring created aza‐podophyllotoxin derivatives by means of the functionalization of the C? H bonds ortho to the C? halide bonds of the incoming aryl halides. The reaction of dienes with 1‐iodobenzene or aryl halides that incorporate electron‐donating groups produced aza‐conidendrin derivatives by means of the functionalization of both sp³ C? H and sp² C? H bonds. The regioselective C? H functionalization for the formation of different pseudo‐podophyllotoxin/‐conidendrin derivatives is proven by analyses of the ¹H NMR spectra of the products and selective X‐ray analyses of the structures of the products. Thus, the palladium‐catalyzed domino cyclization of 1,6‐dienes for the preparation of aza‐podophyllotoxin/aza‐conidendrin derivatives can be controlled by selectively controlling the C? H functionalization.     

Optimization of culture parameters for production of podophyllotoxin in suspension culture of Podophyllum hexandrum

The root explants of the germinated seedlings of Podophyllum hexandrum were grown in MS medium supplemented with indole acetic acid (IAA) (2 mg/L) and activated charcoal (0.5%), and healthy callus culture was obtained after incubation for 3 wk at 20°C. The cultivation of plant cells in shake flask was associated with problems such as clumping of cells and browning of media, which were solved by the addition of pectinase and polyvinylpyrrolidone. The effect of major media components and carbon source was studied on the growth and podophyllotoxin production in suspension culture. It was found that glucose was a better carbon source than sucrose and that NH₄ ⁺:NO₃ ⁻ ratio (total nitrogen concentration of 60 mM) and PO₄ ³⁻ did not have much effect on the growth and product formation. The relative effect of culture parameters (inoculum level, pH, IAA, glucose, NH₄ ⁺:NO₃ ⁻ ratio, and PO₄ ³⁻) on the overall growth and product response of the plant cell suspension culture was further investigated by Plackett-Burman design. This indicated that inoculum level, glucose, IAA, and pH had significant effects on growth and production of podophyllotoxin. To identify the exact optimum concentrations of these parameters on culture growth and podophyllotoxin production, central composite design experiments were formulated. The overall response equations with respect to growth and podophyllotoxin production as a function of these culture parameters were developed and used to determine the optimum concentrations of these parameters, which were pH 6.0, 1.25 mg/L of IAA, 72 g/L of glucose, and inoculum level of 8 g/L.     

Cytotoxic Podophyllotoxin Type-Lignans from the Steam Bark of <em>Bursera fagaroides </em>var. <em>fagaroides</em>

The hydroalcoholic extract of the steam bark of B. fagaroides var. fagaroides displayed potent cytotoxic activity against four cancer cell lines, namely KB (ED₅₀ = 9.6 × 10^-2 μg/mL), PC-3 (ED₅₀ = 2.5 × 10^-1 μg/mL), MCF-7 (ED₅₀ = 6.6 μg/mL), and HF-6 (ED₅₀ = 7.1 × 10^-3 μg/mL). This extract also showed anti-tumour activity when assayed on mice inoculated with L5178Y lymphoma cells. Bioactivity-directed isolation of this extract, afforded seven podophyllotoxin-type lignans identified as podophyllotoxin (1), β-peltatin-A-methylether (2), 5'-desmethoxy-β-peltatin-A-methylether (3), desmethoxy-yatein (4), desoxypodophyllotoxin (5), burseranin (6), and acetyl podophyllotoxin (7) by 1D and 2DNMR and FAB-MS analyses, and comparison with reported values. All the isolated compounds showed potent cytotoxic activity in the cell lines tested, especially compound 3, which exhibited greater activity than camptothecin and podophyllotoxin against PC-3 (ED₅₀ = 1.0 × 10^-5 μg/mL), and KB (ED₅₀ = 1.0 × 10^-5 μg/mL). This is the first report of the isolation of podophyllotoxin and its acetate in a Bursera species.     

Botanical Source Differentiation of Podophyllum Resin by HPLC

Abstract

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method to determine botanical sources of Podophyllum resin via approximate podophyllotoxin content is described. North American resin contains about 10% podophyllotoxin, the Indian variety about 40%. Samples are dissolved in mobile phase solution and analyzed by HPLC using normal-phase chromatography with detection at 280 nm. Estimates of podophyllotoxin content were made using commercially available references.     

HPLC‐DAD and HPLC‐ESI‐MS separation,determination and identification of the spin‐labeled diastereoisomers of podophyllotoxin

Spin‐labeled nitroxide derivatives of podophyllotoxin had better antitumor activity and less toxicity than that of the parent compounds. However, the 2‐H configurations of these spin‐labeled derivatives cannot be determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods. In the present paper, a high‐performance liquid chromatography‐diode array detection (HPLC‐DAD) and a high‐performance liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐ESI/MS/MS) method were developed and validated for the separation, identification of four pairs of diastereoisomers of spin‐labeled derivatives of podophyllotoxin at C‐2 position. In the HPLC‐ESI/MS spectra, each pair of diastereoisomers of the spin‐labeled derivatives in the mixture was directly confirmed and identified by [M+H]⁺ ions and ion ratios of relative abundance of [M‐ROH+H]⁺ (ion 397) to [M+H]⁺. When the [M‐ROH+H]⁺ ions (at m/z 397) were selected as the precursor ions to perform the MS/MS product ion scan. The product ions at m/z 313, 282, and 229 were the common diagnostic ions. The ion ratios of relative abundance of the [M‐ROH+H]⁺ (ion 397) to [M+H]⁺, [A+H]⁺ (ion 313) to [M‐ROH+H]⁺, [A+H‐OCH₃]⁺ (ion 282) to [M‐ROH+H]⁺ and [M‐ROH‐ArH+H]⁺ (ion 229) to [M‐ROH+H]⁺ of each pair of diastereoisomers of the derivatives specifically exhibited a stereochemical effect. Thus, by using identical chromatographic conditions, the combination of DAD and MS/MS data permitted the separation and identification of the four pairs of diastereoisomers of spin‐labeled derivatives of podophyllotoxin at C‐2 in the mixture.     

Determination of Podophyllotoxin and 4′-Demethylepipodophyllotoxin by Capillary Electrophoresis

A new simple, rapid and sensitive capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method has been developed for the simultaneous separation and determination of the anticancer active compounds podophyllotoxin (PPT) and 4′-demethylepipodophyllotoxin (DMEP) in ethanol extracts of the roots of Sinopophyllum emodi (Wall) Ying, and the roots, stems, leaves and fibrils of Dysosma versipellis (Hance) M. cheng. PPT and DMEP could be completely separated and sensitively determined at 214 nm within 12.5 min using 25 mM borate with pH 10.80 as running buffer (applied voltage 20 kV, temperature 20 °C, injection time 5 s). The linear range for the determination of PPT and DMEP were 1.5–171.0 μg mL⁻¹ and 5.0–136.0 μg mL⁻¹ with RSD of the relative migration time for PPT and DMEP of 1.50 and 3.26, and of the relative peak area of 0.82 and 1.13, respectively. The results showed that the method had requisite selectivity, sensitivity, reproducibility and wide linear range for the application to the rapid separation and accurate determination of PPT and DMEP in podophyllum plants. Furthermore, this is the first report about the analysis of podophyllotoxin analogues by CE.     

Palladium(II)-catalyzed enyne cyclization strategies toward the podophyllotoxin ring system

A functionally enriched ABCD ring system of podophyllotoxin was generated through Pd(II)-templated cyclization of an alkynoic alkene, prepared in five steps from commercially available 6-bromopiperonal. This research expands upon the recent carboesterification methodology of Dong et al. (Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2009, 48, 9690–9692) by the application of PdCl₂(MeCN)₂, LiCl, and CuCl₂ conditions, which yielded the desired podophyllotoxin scaffold with an embedded vinyl chloride moiety. Likewise, these conditions were successfully applied to a propargylic alkene prepared in three steps from 6-bromopiperonal. The resulting product contains the ABCD ring system of podophyllotoxin, but substitutes a D-ring furan for the D-ring lactone. Application of the recent methodology of Lu et al. (J. Org. Chem. 1995, 60, 1160–1169) on a related 1,6-enyne substrate led to functionalized α-methylene γ-butyrolactones instead (Pd₂(dba)₃·CHCl₃, LiBr, and CuBr₂). The latter conditions applied to an alkynoic alkene afforded the ABCD ring system of podophyllotoxin with a vinyl bromide group. These vinyl halides allow for derivatization at a critical juncture in order to access novel podophyllotoxin analogs.     

Design, synthesis and cytotoxicity of novel podophyllotoxin derivatives

A series of novel podophyllotoxin derivatives were designed using association strategy and synthesized by coupling either podophyllotoxin (1) or 4beta-amino podophyllotoxin (3) with substituted indol-3-yl-glyoxyl chlorides. Their structures were identified using spectroscopic techniques. These novel derivatives have been evaluated for cytotoxicity in vitro against four human cancer cell lines with comparison to the parent compounds 1, 3 and indibulin (2). Some of the compounds (7a, 7c) showed comparable cytotoxicity to that of podophyllotoxin.     

Synthesis,characterization, and anti-tumor activities of some transition metal(II) complexes with podophyllic acid hydrazide

Four transition metal(II) complexes with podophyllic acid hydrazide (HL) were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, complexometric titration, thermal analysis, conductivity, IR, and ¹H NMR. The complexes have the general formula ML₂ · nH₂O, where M = Zn, Cu, Co, and Ni, n = 2 or 0. Anti-tumor activities of podophyllotoxin, HL, ZnL₂ · ₂H₂O, and NiL₂ were tested by both the MTT and the SRB method. The results show that the activities of the complexes against the tumor cells tested are superior to HL and the anti-tumor activity of NiL2 is even similar to that of podophyllotoxin.     

Podophyllotoxin aza-analogue, a novel DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor

The pendant E-ring moiety of the podophyllotoxin aza-analogue 1 that is a potent inhibitor of microtubule assembly was modified in order to acquire inhibitory activity of DNA topoisomerase II. The monophenolic analogue 2 did not exhibit human topoisomerase II inhibition, while the ortho-quinone 3 that was obtained by oxidation of 2 inhibited its catalytic activity (decatenation) in a dose-dependent manner and stimulated double strand DNA breaks in supercoiled circular plasmid DNA, resulting in the production of linear DNA. These results showed that the topoisomerase II inhibition of the ortho-quinone 3 is due to stabilization of the topoisomerase II-DNA covalent binary complex. On the other hand, the ortho-quinone 3 did not inhibit the relaxation process of supercoiled DNA by topoisomerase I at concentrations up to 400 microM, nor was intercalation observed in unwinding measurements of 3. Therefore, the ortho-quinone 3 was shown to be a novel nonintercalative topoisomerase II specific inhibitor that stabilizes the cleavable complex. The present results suggest that the 4'-free hydroxyl group on the E-ring and the sugar moiety on the C-ring are not a prerequisite for topoisomerase II inhibition by podophyllotoxin derivatives.     

Synthesis and insecticidal activity of novel 4beta-halogenated benzoylamino podophyllotoxins against Pieris rapae Linnaeus

Twelve new 4beta-halogenated benzoylamino compounds (7.1-7.12) of podophyllotoxin have been synthesized, and their structures were confirmed by IR, 1H-NMR, MS spectra as well as CHN elemental analysis. These compounds showed delayed insecticidal activity against 5th instar larvae of Pieris rapae Linnaeus in vivo, when tested by a leaf-dipping method at a concentration of 250ppm. By preliminary qualitative structure-activity relationship analysis, we found the following results: 1) Compounds 7.2, 7.5-7.9 were more potent than the nature parent product in the mortality after 15 d against P. rapae in vivo. Especially compounds 7.5 and 7.6 bearing meta- and para-chlorobenzene substituents respectively, were the most potent of these compounds; 2) Substitution on the benzene ring moiety of 4beta-benzoylamino podophyllotoxin (PPT) with Cl, Br, I at the para or at the meta position yielded compounds which were as potent or more potent than those containing the corresponding substituting group at the ortho position. 3) Substitution on the benzene ring moiety of 4beta-benzoylamino podophyllotoxin with I either at the ortho, meta or para position yielded less potent compounds (7.10-7.12) when compared with PPT.     

Synthesis of new chiral N-heterocyclic carbenes from naturally occurring podophyllotoxin and their application to asymmetric allylic alkylation

Chiral N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) were synthesized from naturally occurring podophyllotoxin. Their coordination with [(η³-allyl)Pd(Br)]₂ afforded (NHC)Pd(allyl)Br complexes, whose structures were unambiguously established by X-ray single crystal analysis. These chiral NHC and NHC-Pd-allyl complexes were found to catalyze the substitution reaction of allylic compounds with high conversions and enantioselectivities (up to 87% ee).     

CH Bond Arylation in the Synthesis of Aryltetralin Lignans: A Short Total Synthesis of Podophyllotoxin

A short total synthesis of podophyllotoxin, the prototypical aryltetralin lignan natural product, is reported. Key to the success of this synthetic pathway is a Pd‐catalyzed C(sp³)–H arylation reaction enabled by a conformational biasing element to promote C–C reductive elimination over an alternative C? N bond‐forming pathway. This strategy allows for access to the natural product in five steps from commercially available bromopiperonal, and sheds light on subtle conformational effects governing reductive elimination pathways from high‐valent palladium centers.     

Laser flash photolysis and pulse radiolysis study on chemical activity of VP-16 and podophyllotoxin

Time-resolved laser flash photolysis and pulse radiolysis have been used to study the chemical activity of podophyllotoxin(PPT) and etoposide(VP-16). The mechanism of photoioniza-tion of etoposide and podophyllotoxin has been confirmed and illustrated. It is demonstrated that VP-16 and PPT in aqueous solution can be photoionized at 248 nm to give hydrated electron and neutral radical resulting from rapid deprotonation of radical cation of VP-16 and PPT. The quantum yield for the photoionization of VP-16 and PPT with single-photo is 0.21 and 0.61, respectively. In addition, they can react with hydrated electron, hydrogen radical and hydroxyl radical. This will give chemists some advice on synthesizing new derivatives of podophyllotoxin in cancer treatment.     

C?H Bond Arylation in the Synthesis of Aryltetralin Lignans: A Short Total Synthesis of Podophyllotoxin

A short total synthesis of podophyllotoxin, the prototypical aryltetralin lignan natural product, is reported. Key to the success of this synthetic pathway is a Pd‐catalyzed C(sp³)–H arylation reaction enabled by a conformational biasing element to promote C–C reductive elimination over an alternative C N bond‐forming pathway. This strategy allows for access to the natural product in five steps from commercially available bromopiperonal, and sheds light on subtle conformational effects governing reductive elimination pathways from high‐valent palladium centers.     

Essential Oil Composition and Bioactivity of Two Juniper Species from Bulgaria and Slovakia

Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb and J. sabina L. contain essential oil (EO), while J. sabina also contains podophyllotoxin, which is used as a precursor for anti-cancer drugs. Two studies were conducted. The first assessed the variability in the EO profile and podophyllotoxin concentration of the two junipers, depending on the location and tree gender. The main EO constituents of J. excelsa were α-cedrol, α-limonene and α-pinene, while the constituents in J. sabina were sabinene, terpinen-4-ol, myrtenyl acetate and α-cadinol. The podophyllotoxin yield of 18 J. sabina accessions was 0.07–0.32% (w/w), but this was not found in any of the J. excelsa accessions. The second study assessed the effect of hydrodistillation (Clevenger apparatus) and steam distillation (in a semi-commercial apparatus) on the EO profile and bioactivity. The extraction type did not significantly alter the EO composition. The EO profiles of the two junipers and their accessions were different and may be of interest to the industry utilizing juniper leaf EO. Breeding and selection programs could be developed with the two junipers (protected species) in order to identify chemotypes with (1) a high EO content and desirable composition, and (2) a high concentration of podophyllotoxin in J. sabina. Such chemotypes could be established as agricultural crops for the commercial production of podophyllotoxin and EO.     

Antitumor agents. I. DNA topoisomerase II inhibitory activity and the structural relationship of podophyllotoxin derivatives as antitumor agents.

Various podophyllotoxin derivatives from desoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT) were synthesized to examine the structural relationships between the biological significance (cytotoxic effect, effects on DNA topoisomerase II and tubulin polymerization) in vitro and antitumor activity in vivo (L 1210). An intact 6,7-methylenedioxy group of DPT is necessary to inhibit tubulin polymerization and topoisomerase II. 4'-Phenolic hydroxyl group of DPT is essential to inhibit DNA topoisomerase II and the inhibitory effect on DNA topoisomerase II contributes to a high cytotoxicity. The introduction of an aminoalkoxy group at 1-position of DPT enhances the inhibitory activity against DNA topoisomerase II and cytotoxic effect, causing the inhibitory activity against tubulin polymerization to disappear. The results of antitumor test in mice bearing L 1210 on podophyllotoxin derivatives suggest the following: 1) the strong cytotoxic effect itself is not a good indication of antitumor activity in vivo as long as it is associated with inhibition of tubulin polymerization. DNA topoisomerase II inhibitory effect contributes to an antitumor activity in vivo; 2) detailed measurements of cytotoxicity and inhibition on DNA topoisomerase II and tubulin polymerization in vitro are necessary to evaluate podophyllotoxin derivatives.