Cytotoxic flavonoids from the fruits of Derris indica

Abstract

Chemical investigation of the ethyl acetate extract from the fruits of Derris indica has led to the isolation of a new furanoflavonoid derivative, 4′-hydroxypinnatin (1), and five known compounds. Pinnatin (2) showed strong cytotoxicity against cholangiocarcinoma (KKU-100) and human hepatoma (HepG2) cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 6.0 ± 2.7 and 9.0 ± 4.1 μg/ml, respectively, and showed maximal cell killing effect of about 88–90%. Flavone 5 exhibited the most cytotoxicity against KKU-100 but it showed moderate efficacy (Emax = 50.7%).

Keywords:

• Derris indica
• cholangiocarcinoma
• KKU-100
• HepG2
• furanoflavone

Acknowledgments

We thank the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology for financial support for Chalotorn Saraphon. The Thailand Research Fund via Directed Basic Research Grant (grant number DBG5980001) and The Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry (PERCH-CIC), Office of the Higher Education Commission, Ministry of Education are gratefully acknowledged.