Structurally Diverse Highly Oxygenated Triterpenoids from the Roots of Ailanthus altissima and Their Cytotoxicity

J Nat Prod. 2018 Aug 24;81(8):1777-1785. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b00208. Epub 2018 Aug 14.

Abstract

Ten new triterpenoids, ailanaltiolides A-J (1-10), and three known analogues (11-13) were isolated from the roots of Ailanthus altissima. Compounds 1-7 are apotirucallane-type, compounds 8 and 9 are tirucallane-type, and compound 10 is a trinordammarane-type triterpenoid. This is the first study indicating the genus Ailanthus as a potential source for apotirucallane derivatives, which contain an α,β-unsaturated-ε-lactone A-ring and diversely modified C-17 side chains. Spectroscopic data interpretation, electronic circular dichroism analysis, and X-ray crystallographic data defined the structures and absolute configurations of these triterpenoids. Compounds 2, 7, and 8 showed cytotoxicity against four tumor cell lines (HeLa, 786-O, HepG2, and A549). In particular, compound 2 exhibited the highest activity against 786-O cells with an IC50 value of 8.2 μM in vitro.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ailanthus / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Molecular Structure
  • Plant Roots / chemistry*
  • Triterpenes / chemistry*
  • Triterpenes / pharmacology*
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Triterpenes