Inhibition of human cytomegalovirus IE gene expression by dihydro-beta-agarofuran sesquiterpenes isolated from Euonymus species.
The development of strategies intended to inhibit human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) immediate-early (IE) antigen expression is an important goal in research designed to prevent and treat certain forms of cancer. The aim of this study was to identify potent IE antigen-targeting natural compounds as antitumor promoters in an in vitro model of tumor promotion. Nineteen dihydro-beta-agarofuran sesquiterpenes isolated from Euonymus species were evaluated for their ability to inhibit HCMV IE antigen expression in human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells. Five esters of penta- and hexahydroxydihydro-beta-agarofuran proved to be active components in these Euonymus species, inhibiting the IE antigen expression of HCMV. The highest activity was displayed by 2beta,6alpha,15-triacetoxy1beta-benzoyloxy-9alpha-nicotinoyloxydihydro-beta-agarofuran. These effective compounds may be regarded as prototypes of antitumor promoters, as secondary chemopreventive agents which can modify or halt tumor promotion in general.
Pusztai
Rozália
R
Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunobiology, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary. pusztai@comser.szote.u-szeged.hu
Hohmann
Judit
J
Rédei
Dora
D
Engi
Helga
H
Molnár
Joseph
J
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D029756:Euonymus; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / Q000187:drug effects*; D017781:Genes, Immediate-Early / Q000187:drug effects*; D005814:Genes, Viral / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012717:Sesquiterpenes