betulonal and lupane

As a part of our investigation into new anti-HIV agents, we report herein the isolation, structure elucidation, and biological activity of six new (1-6) and 20 known (7-26) pentacyclic lupane-type triterpenoids from the stem of Cassine xylocarpa and root bark of Maytenus cuzcoina. Their stereostructures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and spectrometric methods, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques. To gain a more complete understanding of the structural requirements for anti-HIV activity, derivatives 27-48 were prepared by chemical modification of the main secondary metabolites. Sixteen compounds from this series displayed inhibitory effects of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication with IC50 values in the micromolar range, highlighting compounds 12, 38, and 42 (IC50 4.08, 4.18, and 1.70 μM, respectively) as the most promising anti-HIV agents.

Topics: Anti-HIV Agents; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Celastraceae; HIV-1; Humans; Maytenus; Molecular Structure; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; Peru; Plant Bark; Plant Stems; Structure-Activity Relationship; Triterpenes

The lupane triterpenoid betulonic aldehyde [also known as betulonal; systematic name: lup-20(29)-en-28-al-3-one, C30H46O2] is a product of betulin oxidation. Crystals were obtained from hexane [form (I)] and dimethyl sulfoxide [form (II)] solutions. Forms (I) and (II) are both orthorhombic. The molecular geometric parameters in the two forms are similar, but the structures are different with respect to the crystal packing. Polymorph (I) contains two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit, while polymorph (II) contains only one molecule, which has a disordered aldehyde group [the disorder ratio is 0.769 (4):0.231 (4)]. In each molecule, the six-membered rings have chair conformations, whereas the cyclopentane ring in each molecule adopts an envelope conformation. All the rings in the lupane nucleus are trans-fused. The extended structures of both polymorphs are stabilized by weak intermolecular C-H...O and van der Waals interactions. Weak intramolecular C-H...O interactions are also observed.

Topics: Aldehydes; Crystallization; Crystallography, X-Ray; Hydrogen Bonding; Molecular Structure; Triterpenes

Several novel alkylidene branched lupane derivatives have been prepared. Many of these compounds showed a significant cytotoxicity. The most active compound, 2-methylene-betulonic acid, showed IC(50) values between 0.2 and 0.6 μM for 15 different human cancer cell lines. Cytotoxicity can be improved by encapsulation in liposomes. These compounds act by triggering apoptotic cell death as shown by DNA-laddering experiments and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining.

Topics: Alkenes; Antineoplastic Agents; Cell Line, Tumor; Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic; Humans; Hydroxides; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Oxidation-Reduction; Triterpenes