Acetogenins from the Stem of Uvaria rufa and Their Cytotoxic Activity

J Nat Prod. 2024 Feb 23;87(2):207-216. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00838. Epub 2024 Jan 18.

Abstract

Four new adjacent bis-tetrahydrofuran acetogenins, bullacin C (7), uvarirufin (9), and uvariasolins III (12) and IV (13), along with 11 known acetogenins, were isolated from the stem of Uvaria rufa. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic data analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, and MALDI-MS/MS of the lithium adducts. Absolute configurations were assigned using Mosher ester analysis and ECD measurements. Uvarirufin (9) possesses a unique C-39 skeleton among acetogenins. Most tested acetogenins exhibited cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines (HCT 116, 22Rv1, MDA-MB-435, OVCAR3). Squamocin (8) and uvarirufin (9) were found to be the most potent, with an IC50 value of 1.2 μM for both in HCT 116 colon cancer cells. Additionally, a new application of Dragendorff's reagent is proposed herein for the TLC detection of acetogenins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetogenins / chemistry
  • Acetogenins / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents*
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Molecular Structure
  • Ovarian Neoplasms*
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Uvaria* / chemistry

Substances

  • Acetogenins
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • squamocin