Daphnane-type diterpenoids from Stellera chamaejasme L. and their inhibitory activity against hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Daphnane-type diterpenoids, which are scarce in nature, exhibit potent growth-inhibitory activities against various cancer cells. To identify more daphnane-type diterpenoids, the phytochemical components in the root extracts of Stellera chamaejasme L. were analysed in this study using the Global Natural Products Social platform and the MolNetEnhancer tool. Three undescribed 1 alpha-alkyldaphnane-type diterpenoids (1-3; named steller-adaphnanes A-C) and 15 known analogues were isolated and characterised. The structures of these compounds were determined using ultraviolet and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The stereo configurations of the compounds were determined using electronic circular dichroism. Next, the growth-inhibitory activities of isolated compounds against HepG2 and Hep3B cells were examined. Compound 3 exhibited potent growthinhibitory activities against HepG2 and Hep3B cells with half-maximal inhibitory concentration values of 9.73 and 15.97 mu M, respectively. Morphological and staining analyses suggested that compound 3 induced apoptosis in HepG2 and Hep3B cells.

Automated summary

In this study, the phytochemical components in the root extracts of Stellera chamaejasme L. were analyzed, leading to the discovery of three new daphnane-type diterpenoids (steller-adaphnanes A-C) and 15 known analogues. Compound 3 exhibited potent growth-inhibitory activities against HepG2 and Hep3B cells.