Feroniellides C-E, new apotirucallane triterpenoids from the stem bark of Feroniella lucida

Abstract

Bioassay-directed isolation of Feroniella lucida stem bark yielded three new apotirucallane triterpenoids named feroniellides C-E. The structures of the new compounds were established by extensive analysis of spectroscopic data. Of triterpenoids examined, feroniellides D and E revealed anticancer activity against KB and HeLa cells with IC₅₀ values in range of 3.4–14.2 µg mL⁻¹, which are significantly more potent than feroniellides A-C (IC₅₀ 25.5–60.0 µg mL⁻¹). The present investigation suggests that an isovalerate moiety in feroniellides D and E is possibly associated with exerting cytotoxicity against cancer cells.

Keywords:

• Feroniella lucida
• Rutaceae
• feroniellide
• apotirucallane

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Research University Project of CHE and Ratchadaphiseksomphot Endowmwnt Fund (FW001A and FW645A). We thank Serm Surapinit for his assistance and pioneering study in enrichment of triterpenoids using Sephadex LH-20 and three-component mobile phase.