Cytotoxic Cardenolides from Calotropis Species: A Short Review
نویسندگان
چکیده
From different plant parts of Calotropis species (C. gigantea and C. procera), various classes of compounds such as oxypregnanes, terpenoids, sterols, cardenolides and flavonoids have been isolated. Of these compounds, the cardenolides stand out as many of them have anticancer properties. Cardenolides are C23 steroids with a five-membered unsaturated butyrolactone ring consisting of a steroid nucleus, a lactone moiety at C-17 and a sugar moiety at C-3. The roles of cardenolides in the treatment of human cancer have been established as they can induce apoptosis and inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Structure‒activity relationship analyses have yielded some interesting findings on their cytotoxicity. Compounds with six-membered ring sugar groups generally have significantly stronger inhibitory activity than those with five-membered ring sugar groups. A formyl or methyl-hydroxyl group at C-10 enhances cytotoxicity while the presence of a 4 ́-OH or 16-OH group decreases cytotoxicity. Chemical modification of 2”-oxovoruscharin, a novel cardenolide extracted from the root bark of C. procera, has led to the synthesis of UNBS1450. The compound is characterized by more potent antiproliferative activity, lower toxicity, and is a strong sodium pump inhibitor and inducer of non-apoptotic cell death. UNBS1450 is currently in Phase I clinical trials.
منابع مشابه
Apocynaceae species with antiproliferative and/or antiplasmodial properties: a review of ten genera.
Apocynaceae is a large family of tropical trees, shrubs and vines with most species producing white latex. Major metabolites of species are triterpenoids, iridoids, alkaloids and cardenolides, which are known for a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities such as cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antimalarial properties. Prompt...
متن کامل2′-Epi-uscharin from the Latex of Calotropis gigantea with HIF-1 Inhibitory Activity
Two stereoisomeric cardenolides, uscharin (1) and a new compound, 2'-epi-uscharin (2), were isolated from the latex of Calotropis gigantea (Asclepiadaceae). Their structures were fully elucidated based on their spectroscopic data, X-ray crystallographic data and chemical evidences. Both epimers (1 and 2) exhibited strong inhibitory effects on HIF-1 activity with different magnitudes. Compound 1...
متن کاملThe Calotropis Gigantea Methanolic Extract Induces Apoptosis in Human Breast Carcinoma Cells
Background: Calotropis gigantea (family: Asclepiadaceae) has been known to contain cardiac glycosides. The C. gigantea extracts have been reported as cytotoxic to a few cancer cell lines. The present study was designed to examine the effect of Calotropis gigantea methanolic extract (CGME) on the growth and apoptosis in human breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7 cells).Methods: The study was ...
متن کاملTherapeutic Potential of Calotropis procera: A giant milkweed
Medicinal plants are the local heritage with global importance playing a vital role in world health care system of developing countries. Calotropis procera (Asclepiadaceae), a giant milk weed, is known for its pharmacological importance for centuries. The coarse shrub is a very promising source of anticancerous, ascaricidal, schizonticidal, anti-microbial, anthelmintic, insecticidal, anti-infla...
متن کاملCytotoxic activity screening of some medicinal plants from south of Iran
Background and objectives: Cancer is a public health problem all over the world. Herbal medicines have a vital role in the prevention and treatment of cancer and large numbers of plants and their isolated constituents have shown potential anticancer activity. Methods: Twenty seven medicinal plants from southern Iran provinces have been extracted with methanol and screened for their cytotoxic ac...
متن کامل