Synthesis and antitumor activity of ring A modified 11-keto-β-boswellic acid derivatives

Eur J Med Chem. 2015 Mar 6:92:700-11. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2015.01.039. Epub 2015 Jan 20.

Abstract

Beta-boswellic acids are interesting triterpenoic acids that show different biological activities. Their cytotoxic potential, as well as that of their derivates remained unexploited so far. In this study we were able to prepare derivatives of 11-keto-β-boswellic acid that showed lower IC50 values as determined by a sulphorhodamine B (SRB) assay using several different human tumour cell lines. Thus, the introduction of an amino group at position C-2 led to a significantly improved cytotoxic activity of amine 18. An apoptotic effect of compound 18 was determined using DNA laddering and trypan blue staining experiments.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Boswellic acids; Frankincense; SRB assay; Tumor cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Triterpenes / chemical synthesis*
  • Triterpenes / chemistry
  • Triterpenes / pharmacology*

Substances

  • 11-keto-boswellic acid
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Triterpenes