title: 11-Keto-boswellic acid derived amides and monodesmosidic saponins induce apoptosis in breast and cervical cancers cells.
abstract: Beta-boswellic acids are considered the main bioactive components of frankincense. Their potential to act as cytotoxic agents, as well as that of their derivatives remained unexploited so far. In this study we were able to prepare derivatives of 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA) that showed lower IC50 values as determined by a sulphorhodamine B (SRB) assay using several different human tumour cell lines. Monodesmosidic saponins of KBA are as cytotoxic as 3-acetyl-KBA. The presence of a free hydroxyl group at position C-3 seems to lower cytotoxicity while the presence of an amide function at C-24 improves cytotoxicity. The most active compound of this series gave IC50 values as low as 4.5 μM. Cell death proceeded mainly via apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Organic Chemistry, Kurt-Mothes-Str. 2, D-06120, Halle (Saale), Germany. Electronic address: rene.csuk@chemie.uni-halle.de.
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Csuk
authors.affiliation: Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Organic Chemistry, Kurt-Mothes-Str. 2, D-06120, Halle (Saale), Germany.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barthel-Niesen
authors.affiliation: Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Organic Chemistry, Kurt-Mothes-Str. 2, D-06120, Halle (Saale), Germany.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barthel
authors.affiliation: Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Organic Chemistry, Kurt-Mothes-Str. 2, D-06120, Halle (Saale), Germany.
authors.forename: Renate
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.affiliation: University of Nizwa, Chair of Oman's Medicinal Plants and Marine Natural Products, P.O. Box 33, PC 616, Birkat Al-Mauz, Nizwa, Oman.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Harrasi
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015394:Molecular Structure; D012503:Saponins / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D012503:Saponins; D014315:Triterpenes; C054625:boswellic acid
keywords: Apoptosis; Boswellic acids; Frankincense; SRB assay; Tumor cells