The Bisindole Alkaloids Angustilongines M and A from Alstonia penangiana Induce Mitochondrial Apoptosis and G0/G1 Cell Cycle Arrest in HT-29 Cells through Promotion of Tubulin Polymerization

J Nat Prod. 2021 May 28;84(5):1524-1533. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00013. Epub 2021 Apr 19.

Abstract

A new linearly fused macroline-sarpagine bisindole, angustilongine M (1), was isolated from the methanolic extract of Alstonia penangiana. The structure of the alkaloid was elucidated based on analysis of the spectroscopic data, and its biological activity was evaluated together with another previously reported macroline-akuammiline bisindole from the same plant, angustilongine A (2). Compounds 1 and 2 showed pronounced in vitro growth inhibitory activity against a wide panel of human cancer cell lines. In particular, the two compounds showed potent and selective antiproliferative activity against HT-29 cells, as well as strong growth inhibitory effects against HT-29 spheroids. Cell death mechanistic studies revealed that the compounds induced mitochondrial apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in HT-29 cells in a time-dependent manner, while in vitro tubulin polymerization assays and molecular docking analysis showed that the compounds are microtubule-stabilizing agents, which are predicted to bind at the β-tubulin subunit at the Taxol-binding site.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alstonia / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • G1 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints / drug effects
  • HT29 Cells
  • Humans
  • Indole Alkaloids / pharmacology*
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Molecular Structure
  • Oxindoles / pharmacology*
  • Tubulin Modulators / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Indole Alkaloids
  • Oxindoles
  • Tubulin Modulators
  • macroline
  • sarpagine