STAT-3 inhibitory bisabolanes from Carthamus glaucus

J Nat Prod. 2012 Mar 23;75(3):453-8. doi: 10.1021/np2008973. Epub 2012 Feb 6.

Abstract

Apart from a large amount (ca. 2.0%) of α-bisabolol β-D-fucopyranoside (2a), the aerial parts of the Mediterranean weed Carthamus glaucus afforded an unusual triglyceride (E-2-crotonyl-1,3-distearolylglycerol, 7), two lipophilic flavonoids (6a,b), and a series of bisabolane fucopyranosides variously acylated on the sugar moiety (2b-e) or oxidized on the terpenoid core (3, 4a,b, 5a,b). The fucopyranoside 2a is more soluble in polar media and more versatile in terms of formulation than its aglycone [(-)-α-bisabolol, 1], an anti-inflammatory cosmetic ingredient in current short supply in its natural form. A comparative investigation of the activity of α-bisabolol (1a), the fucopyranoside 2a, and its senecioate 2b on transcription factors involved in inflammation and cancer pathways (NF-κB and STAT-3) showed only marginal activity on NF-κB inhibition for all compounds, while STAT-3 was inhibited potently by the fucoside 2a and, to a lesser extent, also by α-bisabolol. These observations qualify 2a as an easily available compound, both as an apoptotic lead structure and as a potential alternative to natural α-bisabolol (1) for pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Carthamus / chemistry*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Monocyclic Sesquiterpenes
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / drug effects*
  • Sesquiterpenes / chemistry
  • Sesquiterpenes / isolation & purification
  • Sesquiterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Turkey

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Monocyclic Sesquiterpenes
  • NF-kappa B
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • Sesquiterpenes
  • bisabolol