Tigliane Diterpenoids as a New Type of Antiadipogenic Agents Inhibit GRα-Dexras1 Axis in Adipocytes

J Med Chem. 2019 Feb 28;62(4):2060-2075. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01693. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Abstract

The phytochemical study of Euphorbia prolifera led to the isolation of two tiglianes (1 and 2) and 23 mysrinanes (3-25). Most of these isolates showed significant antiadipogenic activity in 3T3-L1 adipocyte without apparent cytotoxicity. Subsequent structural modification yielded 10 derivatives, among which 1a, the 5- O-acetyl derivative of 1, turned out to be the most active compound with improved triglyceride-lowering activity (EC50 for 1 and 1a: 0.61 and 0.32 μM, respectively) and reduced cytotoxicity (selectivity index for 1 and 1a: 28 and 312, respectively). The structure-activity relationship study revealed that the trans-fused 5/7/6 ring system in an angular shape was important to the activity. A mechanistic study indicated that 1 and 1a could inhibit the glucocorticoid receptor α-Dexras1 axis in adipocyte, leading to the retardation of cell differentiation at the early stage. These findings may provide a new type of lipid-lowering agents for future antiobesity drug development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3-L1 Cells
  • Adipocytes
  • Adipogenesis / drug effects*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / pharmacology*
  • Down-Regulation
  • Euphorbia / chemistry
  • Mice
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Molecular Structure
  • Phorbols / chemical synthesis
  • Phorbols / isolation & purification
  • Phorbols / pharmacology*
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • ras Proteins / genetics
  • ras Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Anti-Obesity Agents
  • Phorbols
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid
  • glucocorticoid receptor alpha
  • Rasd1 protein, mouse
  • ras Proteins