Antitumor activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Aconitum alkaloids

Abstract

We recently synthesized from aconitine a series of drugs with in vitro and in vivo antitumor properties, among which bis[O-(14-benzoylaconine-8-yl)]suberate (BBAS) was the most active (Eur J Med Chem 2012; 54: 343). In the present work, we used the NCI panel of 60 human tumor cell lines to identify the most sensitive cell lines and drugs with comparable cytotoxicity profiles. GI50 values of BBAS ranged between 0.12 and 6.5 μM. Activity was higher than average for leukemia and melanoma cell lines, especially SK-MEL-5 and SK-MEL-28, for the COLO-205 and HT-29 (colorectal) and MDA-MB-468 (breast) cancer cell lines. We evaluated the correlation between the GI50 of BBAS and those of 125 antiproliferative compounds with various mechanisms of action, using Bonferroni correction for multiple testing, and we observed a highly significant correlation with the GI50s of nitrosoureas. Interestingly, BBAS cytotoxicity was inversely correlated with the expression levels of MGMT (p = 0.009), an enzyme involved in the repair of nitrosourea-induced DNA damage. However, no correlation was found with the expression of 102 other genes involved in DNA repair. Antitumor activity was tested on immunodeficient mice with subcutaneously xenografted COLO-205, HT-29, MDA-MB-468, SK-MEL-5 and SK-MEL-28 cell lines. At 10 mg/kg, there was a significant reduction in tumor size with T/C values of 41 % and 43 % for COLO-205 and SK-MEL-28 cell lines, respectively. The drug was less active on HT-29 and SK-MEL-5 and inactive on MDA-MB-468 xenografts. Cell cycle studies showed an accumulation of BBAS-treated cells in G2/M phase after treatment at 20 μM. Together, our results allowed the identification of a potentially new class of anticancer agent displaying a mechanism of action related to that of nitrosoureas.

Anti-cancer activities of Schedule E1 drugs used in ayurvedic formulations

“…In immunodeficient mice with subcutaneous xenografts T/C values of 43% and 41% against SK-MEL-28 and COLO-205 cell lines were observed respectively with a significant decrease in tumor size at a dose of 10 mg/kg. After treatment at a dose of 20 μM, the BBAS-treated cells were found to be accumulated in G2/M phase [ 186 ].…”

Two decades of advances in diterpenoid alkaloids with cytotoxicity activities

“…25 Further studies on 92e showed higher than average activities against leukemia and melanoma cell lines, especially SK-MEL-5 and SK-MEL-28, and against the COLO-205 and HT-29 (colorectal) and MDA-MB-468 (breast) cancer cell lines. 26 Also, it was implied that 92e blocks the cell cycle at G2/M phase, displaying a mechanism of action related to that of nitrosoureas. 26 In 2017, two new bisditerpenoid alkaloids, navicularines A and B (93a-b), were isolated from the ground parts of Aconitum naviculare (Fig.…”

“…26 Also, it was implied that 92e blocks the cell cycle at G2/M phase, displaying a mechanism of action related to that of nitrosoureas. 26 In 2017, two new bisditerpenoid alkaloids, navicularines A and B (93a-b), were isolated from the ground parts of Aconitum naviculare (Fig. 15).…”

“… 26 Also, it was implied that 92e blocks the cell cycle at G2/M phase, displaying a mechanism of action related to that of nitrosoureas. 26 …”

Anticancer Activities of C18-, C19-, C20-, and Bis-Diterpenoid Alkaloids Derived from Genus Aconitum

“…Its antitumor activity is obviously shown at a dose below the maximum tolerated dose. The impact of the alkyl-linker length of the designed bis-diterpenoid alkaloids on cytotoxicity is clearly elucidated in the study and can serve as a reference for designing novel antiproliferative agents [57]. …”