A Homodimer of Withaferin A Formed by Base-Promoted Elimination of Acetic Acid from 27- O-Acetylwithaferin A Followed by a Diels-Alder Reaction

J Nat Prod. 2024 Mar 22;87(3):583-590. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c01003. Epub 2024 Feb 27.

Abstract

Treatment of 27-O-acetylwithaferin A (2) with the non-nucleophilic base, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-7-ene (DBU), afforded 5β,6β-epoxy-4β-hydroxy-1-oxo-witha-2(3),23(24),25(27)-trienolide (3) and 4, a homodimer of withaferin A resulting from a Diels-Alder [4 + 2] type cycloaddition of the intermediate α,β-dimethylene-δ-lactone (9). Structures of 3 and 4 were elucidated using HRMS and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. The structure of 4 was also confirmed by single crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis of its bis-4-O-p-nitrobenzoate (8). Formation of withaferin A homodimer (4) as the major product suggests regio- and stereoselectivity of the Diels-Alder [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of 9. Acetylation of 2-4 afforded their acetyl derivatives 5-7, respectively. Compounds 2-4 and 6-8 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against four prostate cancer (PC) cell lines (LNCaP, 22Rv1, DU-145, and PC-3) and normal human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cells. Significantly, 4 exhibited improved activity compared to the other compounds for most of the tested cell lines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetic Acid*
  • Cycloaddition Reaction
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Male
  • Molecular Structure
  • Withanolides* / chemistry
  • Withanolides* / pharmacology

Substances

  • withaferin A
  • Acetic Acid
  • Withanolides