Isovincathicine from Catharanthus roseus induces apoptosis in A549 cells

• Published in: Journal of natural medicines Vol. 78; no. 1; pp. 216 - 225
• Main Authors: Hiroki, Mizuki, Abulikemu, Aishanjiang, Totsuka, Chihiro, Hirasawa, Yusuke, Kaneda, Toshio, Morita, Hiroshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Nature Singapore 2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: A549 Cells; Apoptosis; Bcl-x protein; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Catharanthus - chemistry; Catharanthus - metabolism; Catharanthus roseus; Cell death; Cell proliferation; Complementary & Alternative Medicine; Flow cytometry; G2 phase; Humans; Indole Alkaloids - chemistry; Indole Alkaloids - pharmacology; Mcl-1 protein; Medicinal Chemistry; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Pharmacy; Plant Sciences; Statistical analysis; Stereochemistry; Vinblastine; Western blotting; Cell proliferation; Isovincathicine; DP4 statistical analysis; Bisindole alkaloid; Cytotoxic activity; Apoptosis; Catharanthus roseus
• ISSN: 1340-3443; 1861-0293
• DOI: 10.1007/s11418-023-01740-8

A dimeric indole alkaloid, isovincathicine consisting of an aspidosperma type and modified iboga with C-7–C-20 connection type skeletons was first isolated from Catharanthus roseus , and the structure including stereochemistry was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data as well as DP4 statistical analysis. Isovincathicine inhibited cell proliferation in A549 cells. We investigated the detailed mode of action of isovincathicine-induced inhibitory effects on cell proliferation in A549 cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed that isovincathicine-treated cells accumulated in the G 2 phase after 24 h, and the percentage of cells showing cell death increased after 48 h. Western blotting also showed increased expression of BimEL, an apoptosis-related protein, and decreased expression of Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL. Isovincathicine was suggested to induce apoptosis in A549 cells by a mechanism is similar to that of vinblastine. Graphical abstract