Potent antitumor activity of 3,4-seco-8betaH-Ferna-4(23),9(11)-dien-3-oic acid (EC-2) and 3,4-seco-Oleana-4(23),18-dien-3-oic acid (EC-4), evaluated by an in vitro human cancer cell line panel

Abstract

3,4-seco-8beta H-Ferna-4(23),9(11)-dien-3-oic acid (EC-2) (1) and 3,4-seco-oleana-4(23),18-dien-3-oic acid (EC-4) (2) isolated from the whole herb of Euphorbia chamaesyce L. were evaluated for their anti-tumor activities using a panel including 39 human cancer cell lines (HCC) coupled with a drug sensitivity database. Compounds 1 and 2 showed strong cytotoxicity against the HCC panel, even though alcohols 1A and 2A and methyl esters 1B and 2B were inactive.