Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of lupeol

In our previous work, lupeol was isolated from aerial parts of V. scorpioides and modified by semisynthetic approach. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cytotoxicity of lupeol and its derivatives previously prepared on the human K562 acute myeloid leukemia cell and human Jurkat acute lymphoid leukemia cell in vitro. Compounds 3 beta-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-30-al (2), lup-20(30)-en-3 beta,29-diol (3), 3 beta-acetoxylup-20(29)-en-30-al (5) and 3 beta-acetoxy-30-hydroxylup-20(29)-ene (6) presented cytotoxicity with IC50 ranging from 11.72 to 56.15 mu M at 24 h of incubation for both cell lines. Most of the active compounds (3, 5 and 6) were selective to leukemia cells, in compare with healthy cells. The hemolysis assay showed high blood compatibility of the cytotoxic lupeol derivatives which makes possible an intravenous administration of these compounds aiming to the potential to development of anti-leukemic drugs.

Automated summary

The study found that lupeol and some of its derivatives have cytotoxic effects on acute myeloid leukemia cells and acute lymphoid leukemia cells, with strong selectivity for leukemia cells over healthy cells. These compounds showed high blood compatibility, making them potential candidates for the development of anti-leukemic drugs that can be administered intravenously.