Bioassay-directed fractionation of the whole plant of Physalis angulata L. afforded three new antiproliferative withanolides with an unusual carbon framework: physangulidines A (1), B (2), and C (3). Structures of the three isomeric withanolides were determined by a combination of HRMS, NMR spectroscopic, and X-ray crystallographic methods. Each has shown significant antiproliferative activity against DU145 prostate cancer cells. Physangulidine A (1) was further tested against a wide range of additional cancer cell lines and found to exhibit significant antiproliferative activity.
© 2012 American Chemical Society