Cephalotaxine-type and homoerythrina-type alkaloids with antiproliferative effects from Cephalotaxus fortunei

Org Biomol Chem. 2022 Sep 14;20(35):7076-7084. doi: 10.1039/d2ob01242a.

Abstract

Twenty-two cephalotaxine-type and ten homoerythrina-type alkaloids, including seven previously undescribed ones, were isolated from the twigs and leaves and the seed kernels of Cephalotaxus fortunei. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analysis, single crystal X-ray diffraction, and ECD calculation methods. Cephalofortunine A β-N-oxide (1) is the first nitrogen-oxidized homoerythrina-type alkaloid. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative effects against two human leukemia cell lines (THP-1 and K562). All compounds showed different levels of antiproliferation in THP-1 and K562 cells with GI50 values of 0.24-29.55 μM. Hainanensine (31) was the most active against two cancer cell lines with GI50 values of 0.24 ± 0.07, and 0.29 ± 0.01 μM, respectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic* / pharmacology
  • Cephalotaxus* / chemistry
  • Homoharringtonine
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Homoharringtonine