Screening of triterpenoids isolated from Phyllanthus flexuosus for DNA topoisomerase inhibitory activity

J Nat Prod. 2001 Dec;64(12):1545-7. doi: 10.1021/np010176u.

Abstract

DNA topoisomerases (Topos) are enzymes that play a crucial role in DNA metabolism events such as replication, transcription, recombination, and chromosome segregation at mitosis. Thus, Topo inhibitors could be expected to have antitumor effects. Naturally occurring lupane- and oleanane-type triterpenoids isolated from the bark of Phyllanthus flexuosus were screened for human Topos I and II inhibitory activities. Olean-12-en-3 beta,15 alpha-diol (1), olean-12-en-3 beta,15 alpha,24-triol (3), lupeol (4), and betulin (6) were found to be selective catalytic inhibitors of human Topo II activity with IC(50) values in the range of 10-39 microM.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / isolation & purification*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology
  • DNA* / analysis
  • DNA* / drug effects
  • DNA* / metabolism
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Electrophoresis, Agar Gel
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Etoposide / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Molecular Structure
  • Oleanolic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Oleanolic Acid / chemistry
  • Oleanolic Acid / isolation & purification*
  • Oleanolic Acid / pharmacology
  • Pentacyclic Triterpenes
  • Phyllanthus / chemistry*
  • Plant Bark / chemistry
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry*
  • Plasmids
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Topoisomerase I Inhibitors
  • Topoisomerase II Inhibitors*
  • Triterpenes / chemistry
  • Triterpenes / isolation & purification*
  • Triterpenes / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Pentacyclic Triterpenes
  • Topoisomerase I Inhibitors
  • Topoisomerase II Inhibitors
  • Triterpenes
  • olean-12-en-3,15,24-triol
  • olean-12-en-3,15-diol
  • olean-12-en-3,24-diol
  • Etoposide
  • Oleanolic Acid
  • betulin
  • DNA
  • lupeol