Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
To that end, synthetic analog studies have identified a compound (
G5
) with
comparable or better anticancer activity and certain structural features that are
critical to the anticancer activity of this compound type (81).
14.1.8 Cocculus species
Cocculus trilobus
DC. (Menispermaceae family), found in the mountains of east
Asia, has folkloric uses as a diuretic, an analgesic, and an anti-inflammatory
crude drug.
Sinococuline (
H1
) was isolated as an antitumor principle from the stems and
rhizomes (82). It also has
in vivo
activity against P388 leukemia.
H1
likely is a
general cytotoxic rather than a cell-specific agent (83).
14.1.9 Maytenus species
Maytenus illicifolia
Mart. ex Reiss. (Celastraceae family), more commonly
known as “Cangorosa,” is found in South America where it is used for its
analgesic, antipyretic, antiseptic, and anticancer properties and for birth control,
particularly in Paraguay.
Bioactivity-directed fractionation and isolation by various research groups
has led to the isolation of various active principles. Kupchan et al. (84, 85)
first identified antileukemic maytansinoids, for example, maytansine (
I1
), from
the African plant
M. ovatus
[later renamed
M. serrata
(Hochst. ex A. Rich.)
R. Wilczek]. Although it advanced to Phase II clinical trials, testing then was sus-
pended because of neurotoxicity. The related maytanprine (
I2
), isolated from
M.
diversifolia
(Maxim.) Ding Hou, has been investigated for growth-inhibiting and
apoptosis-inducing activities in K562 leukemia cells (86). Cytotoxic monotriter-
penes include pristimerin (
I3
) and isotingenone III (
I4
)from
M. illicifolia
(87),
as well as the triterpene dimers dihydroisocangorosin A (
I5
) and cangorosin B
(
I6
) (88, 89). The authors also have identified cytotoxic sesquiterpene pyridine
alkaloids, including emarginatines B (
I7
)andF(
I8
), from
M. emarginata
(Willd.)
Ding Hou (90, 91).
MeO
HO
H
N-Me
O
OMe
H1
Sinococuline
Figure 14.8
Structure of sinococuline.
