Anthraquinones, Cdc25B phosphatase inhibitors, isolated from the roots of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.

Abstract

Three anthraquinones, Cdc25B phosphatase inhibitors, were isolated from the methanolic extract of the roots of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (Polygonaceae). Anthraquinones, physcion (1), emodin (2), and questin (3), inhibited the enzymatic activity of Cdc25B phosphatase with IC₅₀ values of 62.5, 30, and 34 µg mL⁻¹, respectively. Emodin (2) and questin (3) strongly inhibited the growth of human colon cancer cells, SW620 with GI₅₀ values of 6.1 and 0.9 µg mL⁻¹, respectively. Commercially available anthraquinones, chrysophanol (4), and rhein (5) also inhibited Cdc25B phosphatase with IC₅₀ values of 10.7 and 22.1 µg mL⁻¹, respectively.

Keywords:

• Cdc25B phosphatase
• Anthraquinones
• Polygonum multiflorum

Acknowledgments

This research was financially supported by a grant (code: PF002107-00) from Plant Diversity Research Center of 21st Century Frontier Research Program and by a grant of Biogreen 21 Program of the Rural Development Administration.