The Anti-Proliferative Activity of Anisosciadone: A New Guaiane Sesquiterpene from Anisosciadium lanatum

Background: The increase in cancer rate and the development of resistant tumors require a continuous search for new anticancer agents. Aims: This study, aimed to analyze and identify the chemical constituents of Anisosciadium lanatum and to invesgate the antiproliferative activity of the identified constituents against various human cell lines (HepG2, MCF7, HT29, A549, and PC3) along with the possible molecular mechanisms involved. Methods: The structure of the isolated compounds was determined by spectroscopic techniques including HR-FABMS, GC-MS, IR, and 400 MHz ID and 2D NMR analyses (H-1, C-13 NMR, DEPT, H-1-H-1 COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY). The antiproliferative activity and 1050 value of the isolated compounds were measured and compared to doxorubicin. Results: A new guaiane sesquiterpene containing a rare epoxide structural element, 10 beta,11 beta-epoxy-1 alpha,4 beta,5 beta,7 alpha H-guaianc-9-one, anisosciadone (1), and stigmasterol (2) have been isolated from the plant. Anisosciadonc (1) showed a significant antiproliferative activity against liver, colon, and lung cells only, while stigmasterol (2) had a significant activity against liver, colon, and breast cells. Both 1 and 2 caused no cytotoxicity to normal fibroblasts. Anisosciadone elevated the expression and activity of Caspase 3 as well as p53 expression without affecting Caspase 9 in HepG2 cells. It also caused similar to 50% downregulation in cdkl expression. Conclusion: Taken together, anisosciadone was specific in action against cancer cells and induced apoptosis cells. It also has a unique feature by elevating the expression and activity of Caspase 3 without affecting the initiator Caspase 9. Therefore, anisosciadone deserves more investigation as a targeted therapy for cancer.