Pro-apoptotic and immunostimulatory tetrahydroxanthone dimers from the endophytic fungus Phomopsis longicolla

J Org Chem. 2013 Dec 20;78(24):12409-25. doi: 10.1021/jo402066b. Epub 2013 Dec 11.

Abstract

Four tetrahydroxanthone dimers (1-4) and four biogenetically related monomers (5-8), including the new derivatives 4-6, were isolated from the endophyte Phomopsis longicolla. The absolute configurations of 2-4 were established for the first time by TDDFT electronic circular dichroism calculations, and that of phomoxanthone A (1) was revised by X-ray crystallography. Phomoxanthone A (1) showed the strongest pro-apoptotic activity when tested against a panel of human cancer cell lines, including cisplatin-resistant cells, whereas it was up to 100-fold less active against healthy blood cells. It was also the most potent activator of murine T lymphocytes, NK cells, and macrophages, suggesting an activation of the immune system in parallel to its pro-apoptotic activity. This dual effect in combating cancer cells could help in fighting resistance during chemotherapy. Preliminary structure-activity studies of isolated compounds and derivatives obtained by semisynthesis (9a-11) hinted at the location of the biaryl axis and the presence of acetyl groups as important structural elements for the biological activity of the studied tetrahydroxanthones.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / isolation & purification
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Apoptosis / immunology
  • Ascomycota / chemistry*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Dimerization
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Mice
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Quantum Theory
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Xanthones / chemistry
  • Xanthones / isolation & purification
  • Xanthones / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Xanthones