Separation, synthesis, and cytotoxicity of a series of mogrol derivatives

Abstract

Four metabolites of mogrol were separated, identified and characterized. Their antitumor activity was evaluated, and the results showed side chain modification would probably enhance the cytotoxicity. Therefore, three types of amines, alcohols and rigid planar derivatives were synthesized. Compounds 20 and 21 containing a tetrahydro-β-carboline structure at the end of the side chain exhibited IC₅₀ values around 2–9 μM against A549 and CNE1 cell comparing with 80–90 μM of mogrol. Structure analysis suggested that the perhydrocyclopentanophenanthrene moiety and the tetrahydro-β-carboline moiety could probably enhance the activity through an intramolecular synergistic effect.

Keywords:

• Mogrol
• metabolites
• mogrol modification
• tetrahydro-β-carboline
• synergistic effect

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China [number 21562009], [number 81160392], Guangxi Natural Science Foundation [number 2018GXNSFAA138088], Guilin Scientific and Technological Project [number 20170303], and the Bagui Scholar Program of the Guangxi Institute of Botany.