Acylated-oxypregnane glycosides from the roots of Araujia sericifera

Cynanotophyllosides E-F, two minor pregnane glycosides from the roots of cultivated Cynanchum otophyllum

Cynanotophyllosides E-F, two new minor pregnane glycosides were isolated from the antidepressant active fraction of cultivated Cynanchum otophyllum, and their structures were determined as 12-O-vanilloyl-deacetylmetaplexigenin 3-O-β -D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β -D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β -D-cymaropyranosyl-(1→4)-β -D-oleandropyranosyl-(1→4)-β -D-digitoxopyranoside, and 12-O-nicotinoyl-deacetylmetaplexigenin 3-O-β -D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β -D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β -D-cymaropyranosyl-(1→4)-β -D-oleandropyranosyl-(1→4)-β -D-cymaropyranoside respectively, with the combination of spectroscopic and chemical analysis.

Anticancer properties of caudatin and related C-21 steroidal glycosides from Cynanchum plants

Numerous C-21 steroidal glycosides have been isolated from Cynanchum plants. Many of them derive from the aglycone caudatin (CDT) which includes a tetracyclic deacylmetaplexigenin unit and an ikemaoyl ester side chain. CDT can be found in diverse traditional medicines, such as Baishouwu radix used to treat gastro-intestinal disorders. The compound has revealed marked anticancer properties, reviewed here. CDT and its mono-glycoside analogue CDMC display antiproliferative activities against different cancer cell lines in vitro and have revealed significant anticancer effects in tumor xenograft models in vivo. Their mechanism of action is multifactorial, implicating several signaling pathways (Wnt/GSK3/β-catenin, TRAIL/DR5/ER and TNFAIP1/NFκB) which contribute to the antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, antimetastatic and proapoptotic effects of the natural products. CDT also modulates DNA replication, is antioxidant and targets some cancer stem cells. CDT and CDMC are interesting anticancer products, while other CDT glycoside derivatives display antiviral and antifungal activities. Altogether, the present review provides a survey of the pharmacological profiles of CDT and derivatives. The lack of knowledge about the molecular targets of CDT currently limits drug development but the natural product, orally active, warrants further pharmacology and toxicology studies.

C21 steroidal glycosides from Cynanchum auriculatum and their neuroprotective effects against H2O2-induced damage in PC12 cells

Twenty-three undescribed previously C₂₁ steroidal glycosides, named saccatols D-K and cynsaccatols I-W, together with six known analogs were isolated from the roots of Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight (Apocynaceae). Their structures were elucidated by a variety of spectroscopic techniques, as well as HRESIMS and GC method. All isolated compounds were tested their neuroprotective effects on the model of H₂O₂-induced damage to PC12 cells. Except saccatols D-F, J, cynsaccatol V and wilfoside A, other twenty-three isolates produced significantly activities against H₂O₂-induced cell damage (P < 0.001). Furthermore, cynsaccatols I, N, O and S can obvious inhibition of damaged PC12 cell apoptosis at their dosages of 1 μM by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining assay with flow cytometry.

C21 steroidal glycosides from the roots of Cynanchum saccatum

Eight new C21 steroidal glycosides, named cynsaccatols A-H (1-8), along with two known analogs (9-10), were isolated from the roots of Cynanchum saccatum. Their structures were determined on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis, as well as HRESIMS. All compounds (1-10) were tested for their cytotoxicity in vitro using three human cancer cell lines (HepG2, Hela and U251), and compounds 1, 4, 5, 9, 10 showed weak inhibitory activities against different cell lines, respectively.

Calotroposides H-N, new cytotoxic oxypregnane oligoglycosides from the root bark of Calotropis procera

As a part of our continuing interest in identifying anticancer drug leads from natural sources, we have investigated the n-BuOH fraction of the root bark of Calotropis procera (Ait) R. Br. Seven new oxypregnane oligoglycosides: calotroposides H-N (1-7) were isolated and identified. Their structures were established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR studies, HRMS, and GCMS spectral data. The in vitro growth inhibitory activity of the n-BuOH fraction and compounds 1-7 was evaluated against A549 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), U373 glioblastoma (GBM), and PC-3 prostate cancer cell lines. Compounds 4 and 6 showed subnanomolar growth inhibition activity with IC50 ranging from 0.5 to 0.7μM against U373 glioblastoma (GBM) and PC-3 prostate cancer cell lines. These results provide further insight into the chemical diversity and biological activities of this class of compounds.

Acylated pregnane glycosides from Caralluma quadrangula

In a previous study, the methanolic extract as well as the chloroform fraction of the aerial parts of Caralluma quadrangula (Forssk.) N.E.Br. indigenous to Saudi Arabia showed significant in vitro cytotoxic activity against breast cancer (MCF7) cell line. In a biologically-guided fractionation approach, four acylated pregnane glycosides were isolated from the chloroform fraction of C. quadrangula. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by the analysis of their MS and NMR data. The compounds were identified as 12,20-di-O-benzoylboucerin 3-O-β-D-digitoxopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-canaropyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-cymaropyranoside (1), 12,20-di-O-benzoylboucerin 3-O-β-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-canaropyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-cymaropyranoside (2), 12,20-di-O-benzoylboucerin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-digitoxopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-canaropyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-cymaropyranoside (3) and 12,20-di-O-benzoyl-3β,5α,12β,14β,20-pentahydroxy-(20R)-pregn-6-ene 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-digitoxopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-canaropyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-cymaropyranoside (4). The isolated compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activity against breast cancer (MCF7) cell line.

Acylated pregnane glycosides from Caralluma tuberculata and their antiparasitic activity

Five pregnane glycosides were isolated from Caralluma tuberculata (1-5), in addition to a known one (russelioside E, 6). The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by the analysis of NMR data and FAB-MS experiments. All the isolated compounds were tested for their antimalarial and antitrypanosomal activities as well as their cytotoxicity against human diploid embryonic cell line (MRC5).

Two new C21 steroidal glycosides from Cynanchum wallichii Wight

Two new C21 steroidal glycosides, characterized with caudatin as the aglycone moiety and 2,6-dideoxy-pyranoses as component sugars, have been isolated from the roots of Cynanchum wallichii Wight. Their structures were elucidated as caudatin-3-O-beta-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-beta-d-digitoxopyranoside (1) and caudatin-3-O-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-cymaropyranoside (2) by spectroscopic evidence.