Induction of apoptosis in HuH-7 cancer cells by monoterpene and beta-carboline indole alkaloids isolated from the leaves of Tabernaemontana elegans.

Abstract

Three known (1-3) and a novel (4) monoterpene indole alkaloids have been isolated from the methanol extract of leaves of Tabernaemontana elegans and their structures were elucidated by a series of spectroscopic experiments, involving NMR, MS, UV, and IR techniques. The isolated monoterpene indole alkaloids along with previously described beta-carbolines (5-7) from the same specimen were studied for their apoptosis induction activity in human hepatoma HuH-7 cells. Methodology for apoptosis induction studies included cell viability assays, nuclear morphology assessments, and general caspase-3-like activity assays. The monoterpene indole alkaloids, tabernaemontanine (1) and vobasine (3) showed the most promising apoptosis induction profile in HuH-7 cells.

• Authors: Tayyab A Mansoor, Rita M Ramalho, Silva Mulhovo, Cecília M P Rodrigues, Maria José U Ferreira
• Journal: Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters (Bioorg Med Chem Lett) Vol. 19 Issue 15 Pg. 4255-8 (Aug 01 2009) ISSN: 1464-3405 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19525111 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Alkaloids
• Carbolines
• Indole Alkaloids
• Plant Extracts
• vobasine

Topics

• Alkaloids
• Apoptosis
• Carbolines (chemistry)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Drug Design
• Humans
• Indole Alkaloids (chemical synthesis, pharmacology)
• Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
• Models, Chemical
• Models, Molecular
• Molecular Conformation
• Plant Extracts (metabolism)
• Plant Leaves (metabolism)
• Tabernaemontana (metabolism)