Synthesis of C-4-Substituted Steviol Derivatives and Their Inhibitory Effects against Hepatitis B Virus

J Nat Prod. 2016 Dec 23;79(12):3057-3064. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.6b00671. Epub 2016 Dec 12.

Abstract

ent-13-Hydroxykaur-16-ene-19-N-butylureide (6) was one of 33 synthesized C-4-substituted steviol derivatives that were evaluated for their effects on hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) secretion. The IC50 (16.9 μM) and SI (57.7) values for inhibiting HBV DNA replication of compound 6 were greater than those of the reference compound, lamivudine (3-TC; IC50: 107.5 μM; SI: 22.0). Thus, the anti-HBV mechanism of 6 was investigated, and it specifically inhibited viral gene expression and reduced viral DNA levels, as well as potently attenuated all of the viral promoter activity of HBV-expressing Huh7 cells. Examination of cellular signaling pathways found that 6 inhibited the activities of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB- and activator protein (AP)-1 element-containing promoters, but had no effects on AP-2 or interferon-stimulated response element (ISRE)-containing promoters in HBV-expressing cells. Meanwhile, it significantly eliminated NF-κB and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling-related protein levels and inhibited their phosphorylation in HBV-transfected Huh7 cells. The inhibitory potency of 6 against HBV DNA replication was reversed by cotransfecting the NF-κB p65 expression plasmid. Using the MAPK-specific activator anisomycin also reversed the inhibitory effect of 6 on viral DNA replication. The present findings suggest that the anti-HBV mechanism of 6 is partly mediated through the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

MeSH terms

  • DNA Replication / drug effects
  • DNA, Viral / drug effects
  • Diterpenes, Kaurane / chemical synthesis*
  • Diterpenes, Kaurane / classification
  • Diterpenes, Kaurane / pharmacology*
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Hepatitis B virus / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • Molecular Structure
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / metabolism
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • Diterpenes, Kaurane
  • NF-kappa B
  • Transcription Factor AP-1
  • steviol
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases