Three new triterpene esters from pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seeds

Molecules. 2014 Apr 16;19(4):4802-13. doi: 10.3390/molecules19044802.

Abstract

Three new multiflorane-type triterpene esters, i.e. 7α-hydroxymultiflor-8-ene-3α,29-diol 3-acetate-29-benzoate (1), 7α-methoxymultiflor-8-ene-3α,29-diol 3,29-dibenzoate (2), and 7β-methoxymultiflor-8-ene-3α,29-diol 3,29-dibenzoate (3), were isolated from seeds of Cucurbita maxima, along with the known compound, multiflora-7,9(11)-diene-3α,29-diol 3,29-dibenzoate (4). Compound 1 exhibited melanogenesis inhibitory activities comparable with those of arbutin. In cytotoxicity assays, compounds 1 and 3 exhibited weak cytotoxicity, with IC50 values of 34.5-93.7 μM against HL-60 and P388 cells.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / isolation & purification
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology
  • Arbutin / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cucurbita / chemistry*
  • Esters
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Melanins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Melanins / biosynthesis
  • Molecular Structure
  • Seeds / chemistry*
  • Triterpenes / chemistry*
  • Triterpenes / isolation & purification
  • Triterpenes / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Esters
  • Melanins
  • Triterpenes
  • Arbutin