Human cytochrome P450 liability studies of trans-dihydronarciclasine: a readily available, potent, and selective cancer cell growth inhibitor

J Nat Prod. 2011 Jan 28;74(1):106-8. doi: 10.1021/np100657w. Epub 2010 Nov 24.

Abstract

The cytochrome P45O activities of the naturally occurring Amaryllidaceae alkaloid narciclasine (3), isolated from Narcissus pseudonarcissus, and synthetic derivative trans-dihydronarciclasine (5) are reported. While narciclasine was found to possess potent inhibitory activity to human CYP3A4, its dihydro analogue was inactive. This study revealed that the C1-C10b double bond is required for inhibition of this crucial metabolizing enzyme. Compound 5 also demonstrated no inhibition of the related human cytochromes CYP19 and CYP1A1. This study elevates the status of trans-dihydronarciclasine (5) as a highly privileged, readily available molecule, with potent and selective anticancer activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / chemistry
  • Alkaloids / isolation & purification*
  • Alkaloids / pharmacology*
  • Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids / chemistry
  • Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids / isolation & purification*
  • Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / isolation & purification*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inhibitors*
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Narcissus / chemistry*
  • Phenanthridines / chemistry
  • Phenanthridines / isolation & purification*
  • Phenanthridines / pharmacology*
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inhibitors
  • Phenanthridines
  • narciclasine
  • dihydronarciclasine
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A
  • CYP3A4 protein, human