Cytotoxicity and modulation of cancer-related signaling by (Z)- and (E)-3,4,3',5'-tetramethoxystilbene isolated from Eugenia rigida

J Nat Prod. 2013 Apr 26;76(4):679-84. doi: 10.1021/np300893n. Epub 2013 Apr 2.

Abstract

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the leaves of Eugenia rigida yielded three stilbenes, (Z)-3,4,3',5'-tetramethoxystilbene (1), (E)-3,4,3',5'-tetramethoxystilbene (2), and (E)-3,5,4'-trimethoxystilbene (3). Their structures were determined using 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy and HRESIMS. The sterically hindered Z-stereoisomer 1, a new natural product, was prepared by time-dependent photoisomerization of the E-isomer (2) under UV irradiation at λ254 nm, while 2,3,5,7-tetramethoxyphenanthrene (5) was identified at λ365 nm by UHPLC/APCI-MS and NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 1-3 were tested against a panel of luciferase reporter gene assays that assess the activity of many cancer-related signaling pathways, and the Z-isomer (1) was found to be more potent than the E-isomer (2) in inhibiting the activation of Stat3, Smad3/4, myc, Ets, Notch, and Wnt signaling, with IC50 values between 40 and 80 μM. However, both compounds showed similar inhibition against Ap-1 and NF-κB signaling. In addition, 1 demonstrated cytotoxic activity toward human leukemia cells, solid tumor cells of epidermal, breast, and cervical carcinomas, and skin melanoma, with IC50 values between 3.6 and 4.3 μM, while 2 was weakly active against leukemia, cervical carcinoma, and skin melanoma cells. Interestingly, 2 showed antioxidant activity by inhibition of ROS generation to 50% at 33.3 μM in PMA-induced HL-60 cells, while 1 was inactive at 100 μM (vs Trolox 1.4 μM).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / isolation & purification*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / isolation & purification*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Female
  • HL-60 Cells
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Molecular Structure
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Puerto Rico
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Stilbenes / chemistry
  • Stilbenes / isolation & purification*
  • Stilbenes / pharmacology*
  • Syzygium / chemistry*

Substances

  • (E)-3,4,3',5'-tetramethoxystilbene
  • (E)-3,5,4'-trimethoxystilbene
  • (Z)-3,4,3',5'-tetramethoxystilbene
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Antioxidants
  • NF-kappa B
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Stilbenes
  • 3,3',4,5'-tetrahydroxystilbene
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II