Experimental and theoretical study of possible correlation between the electrochemistry of canthin-6-one and the anti-proliferative activity against human cancer stem cells

Design, synthesis and in vitro biological evaluation of novel 4-methoxy-5-hydroxycanthin-6-one derivatives as potential anti-tumor agents

Canthin-6-one analogue, 4-methoxy-5-hydroxycanthin-6-one (CAN1) was isolated from Picrasma quassioides (D.Don) Benn., and a series of derivatives containing the CAN1 framework were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for anti-proliferative activity against two human cancer cell lines, HepG2 and HCT116. Among these compounds, the most representative compound d exhibited better anti-proliferative activities in vitro compared with the positive control Fluorouracil (5-FU), with IC₅₀ values of 5.05 μM (HepG2) and 6.65 μM (HCT116), respectively. Compound d triggered more significant HepG2 cell apoptosis than 5-FU did in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, western blot assay indicated that d could enhance the expression of p65 while promoting pro-apoptotic proteins and suppressing the anti-apoptotic proteins in a dose-dependent manner. All these results demonstrated that d might be a potential agent for cancer therapy deserving further exploring.

Phytoelectrochemical analysis of Zanthoxylum chiloperone

INTRODUCTION

An innovative application of the voltammetry of microparticles methodology to characterize the phytochemical composition of extracts of different parts of Zanthoxylum chiloperone var. angustifolium Engl. is described.

OBJECTIVE

Characterize the phytochemical composition of extracts of different parts of plants by electrochemical methodologies.

METHODS

The voltammetry of microparticles methodology was applied to alcoholic extracts from leaves, seeds, fruits, roots and stem bark of Zanthoxylum chiloperone.

RESULTS

In contact with aqueous phosphate buffer, characteristic cathodic signals of its main natural products (canthin-6-one, 5-methoxycanthin-6-one and trans-avicennol) were recorded. The study of the voltammograns allows the estimation of the relative amounts of canthin-6-one, 5-methoxycanthin-6-one and trans-avicennol from the different parts of Zanthoxylum chiloperone.

CONCLUSION

The voltammetric responses of alcoholic extracts from different parts of Zanthoxylum chiloperone var. angustifolium allows their phytochemical characterization without need of sample pretreatment thus illustrating the capabilities of the voltammetry of microparticles methodology to increase the tools applied to phytochemical analysis. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Electrochemical monitoring of ROS generation by anticancer agents: the case of chartreusin

Generation of ROS by anticancer agents is monitored using solid state electrochemical techniques.

Fruitful Decades for Canthin-6-ones from 1952 to 2015: Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Biological Activities

In this review, more than 60 natural canthin-6-one alkaloids and their structures are considered. The biosynthesis, efficient and classic synthetic approaches, and biological activities of canthin-6-one alkaloids, from 1952 to 2015, are discussed. From an analysis of their structural properties and an investigation of the literature, possible future trends for canthin-6-one alkaloids are proposed. The information reported will be helpful in future research on canthin-6-one alkaloids.