Lathyrane, Premyrsinane, and Related Diterpenes from Euphorbia boetica: Effect on in Vitro Neural Progenitor Cell Proliferation

J Nat Prod. 2019 Sep 27;82(9):2517-2528. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b00343. Epub 2019 Sep 11.

Abstract

Lathyrane-type diterpenes previously have been proven to promote proliferation of neural precursor cells (NPCs) by targeting and activating one or more protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes. Aiming to find new drug candidates with a lathyrane skeleton to modulate adult neurogenesis through PKC activation, a phytochemical study of a methanol extract of the aerial parts of Euphorbia boetica was carried out. Seven new diterpenes, representing the premyrsinane (1-3), myrsinane (4, 5), and cyclomyrsinane types (6, 7), along with three known diterpenes, belonging to the cyclomyrsinane (8) and lathyrane types (9, 10), were isolated. The chemical structures and relative configurations of the new compounds were determined by extensive NMR spectroscopic studies and comparison with known compounds. The absolute configurations for compounds 2, 3, 6, and 7 were proposed, based on a comparison of the experimental ECD spectra of compounds 2 and 7 with those of known related compounds. The activity of lathyrane compounds 9 and 10 as promoters of NPC proliferation was evaluated using a neurosphere assay. Both compounds increased the size of neurospheres in a dose-dependent manner when proliferation was stimulated by the epidermal growth factor and the basic fibroblast growth factor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Diterpenes / isolation & purification*
  • Diterpenes / pharmacology
  • Euphorbia / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Neural Stem Cells / cytology
  • Neural Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Spectrum Analysis / methods

Substances

  • Diterpenes