Biocatalysis of the anticancer sipholane triterpenoids

Planta Med. 2007 Jun;73(6):591-6. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-967188. Epub 2007 May 7.

Abstract

The Red Sea sponge Callyspongia (= Siphonochalina) siphonella is a rich source of sipholane triterpenoids. Biocatalysis of the major sipholanes, sipholenol A (1) and sipholenone A (2), respectively, by Mucor ramannianus ATCC 9628 and Cunninghamella elegans ATCC 7929 afforded four new metabolites 3 - 6 along with sipholenol G and 28-hydroxysipholenol A. Major sipholanes along with their biocatalytic products were investigated for their antiproliferative activity against the highly malignant +SA mouse mammary epithelial cell line. Sipholenone A (2) was the most active sipholane inhibiting +SA cell proliferation with an IC(50) value of 20 - 30 microM. Sipholenone A, also, showed cytotoxicity against MCF-7 at a dose of 0.9 microM and antiangiogenic activity in the CAM (chorio-allantoic membrane) assay. This is the first report on anticancer activity of these triterpenoids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use
  • Callyspongia*
  • Cell Line, Tumor / drug effects
  • Chick Embryo / drug effects
  • Chickens
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Mice
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Triterpenes / administration & dosage
  • Triterpenes / pharmacology
  • Triterpenes / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Plant Extracts
  • Triterpenes