Cytotoxic Nitrobenzoyl Sesquiterpenoids from an Antarctica Sponge-Derived Aspergillus insulicola

J Nat Prod. 2022 Apr 22;85(4):987-996. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c01118. Epub 2022 Apr 5.

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive neoplastic diseases of the pancreas with fatal proliferation and metastasis and no medicine available for treatment. From an Antarctica sponge-derived fungus, Aspergillus insulicola HDN151418, four new nitrobenzoyl sesquiterpenoids, namely, insulicolides D-G (1-4), were isolated. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited selective inhibition against human PDAC cell lines. Further studies indicated that compound 4 could significantly suppress cell proliferation to induce apoptosis and blocked migration and invasion of PDAC cells. Compound 4 could also avoid resistance and improved the therapeutic effect of the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine. A preliminary mechanism study showed that compound 4 can significantly inhibit the expression of EGFR and XIAP in PDAC cells. Altogether, 4 is a potential lead compound for anti-PDAC drug research.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antarctic Regions
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis
  • Aspergillus
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Sesquiterpenes* / pharmacology
  • Sesquiterpenes* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Sesquiterpenes

Supplementary concepts

  • Aspergillus insulicola