Derivatives of Cucurbitacin-E-glucoside produced by Curvularia lunata NRRL 2178: Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antitumor activities, and effect on biochemical parameters

Cucurbitacin E glucoside (1) is a tetracyclic triterpenoid glucoside, isolated from Cucurbitaceae plants. In the present study the pharmacological and biochemical effects of cucurbitacin-E-glucoside and two of its microbial transformation derivatives (2 and 3) produced by Curvularia lunata NRRL 2178, were investigated. The isolated compounds were identified by H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopy. The obtained results showed that 2 and 3 possess anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects, compared with indomethacin and acetaminophen. Oral administration of 2 and 3 at dose of 1/10 of LD50 for 30 days resulted in a significant decrease in the serum levels of glucose, cholesterol and triacylglycerol. Cucurbitacin-E-glucoside showed moderate cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines while compound 3 proved to be selective against colon carcinoma cell lines. (C) 2017 Future University. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.