Minor withanolides of Physalis longifolia: structure and cytotoxicity

Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2012;60(10):1234-9. doi: 10.1248/cpb.c12-00305.

Abstract

In our recent publication on bioactive guided isolation of compounds from Physalis longifolia (Solanaceae) novel anti-proliferative agents withalongolides A (4) and B (5), and their highly cytotoxic analogues, withalongolide A 4,19,27-triacetate (4a) and withalongolide B 4,19-diacetate (5a) were elucidated. In this study, the two lead compounds (4, 5) were re-isolated in gram quantities for the purpose of further analogue preparation and in vivo testing that would continue to probe structure-activity relationships. During this process, two additional withanolides, named withalongolides O (1) and P (2), were elucidated. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic techniques with 1 being subsequently confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Utilizing a MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium] viability assay, withalongolide O (1) and its 4,7-diaceatate (1a), both containing the functionalities of Δ(2)-1-oxo- in A ring, a 5β,6β-epoxy in B ring, and a lactone ring in the nine-carbon side chain, exhibited potent cytotoxicity against human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (JMAR and MDA-1986), melanoma (B16F10 and SKMEL-28), and normal fetal lung fibroblast (MRC-5) cells with IC(50) values in the range between 0.15 and 2.95 µM. In addition, the previously reported α orientation of 7-acetate group in acnistins C and D should be revised to the β orientation on the basis of NMR data comparison.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / isolation & purification
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / drug therapy
  • Models, Molecular
  • Physalis / chemistry*
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Withanolides / chemistry*
  • Withanolides / isolation & purification
  • Withanolides / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Withanolides