Synthesis of novel spirostanic saponins and their cytotoxic activity.

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the cytotoxicity of several new synthetic steroidal saponins against the human myeloid leukemia cell lines (HL-60 and U937) and against human melanoma cells (SK-MEL-1). Several diosgenyl glycosides analyzed showed strong cell growth inhibition which was associated with alterations in cell cycle progression and induction of apoptosis. Studies of cytochrome c release and caspase-9 activation suggest a main role of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in the mechanism of cytotoxicity caused by this kind of compounds.

• Authors: Juan C Hernández, Francisco León, Ignacio Brouard, Fernando Torres, Sara Rubio, José Quintana, Francisco Estévez, Jaime Bermejo
• Journal: Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry (Bioorg Med Chem) Vol. 16 Issue 4 Pg. 2063-76 (Feb 15 2008) ISSN: 1464-3391 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 18023191 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Saponins
• Cytochromes c
• Caspase 9

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents (chemical synthesis, pharmacology)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Caspase 9
• Cell Cycle (drug effects)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Cytochromes c
• Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
• HL-60 Cells
• Humans
• Melanoma
• Saponins (chemical synthesis, pharmacology)
• U937 Cells