Absolute configuration and anti-cancer effect of prenylated flavonoids and flavonostilbenes from Sophora pachycarpa: Possible involvement of Wnt signaling pathway

Abstract

A new prenylated flavonostilbene, namely, alopecurone P together with three known compounds sophoraflavanone G, 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]furan-3,4,6-triol and alopecurone J were characterized from the roots of Sophora pachycarpa. The absolute configuration of alopecurones J and P were characterized by comparison of experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy and simulated data using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) for possible stereoisomers. The cytotoxic properties of isolated compounds have also been evaluated on two breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and normal cell line (NIH/3T3) using AlamarBlue®, flowcytometry and western blot assays. Alopecurone J and P showed cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cell line through Wnt signaling pathway. It seems that the presence of lavandulyl substitution in C-8 position of flavanone structure increased the cytotoxic effect.

Keywords: Alopecurone; Cytotoxic activity; Electronic circular dichroism; Prenylated flavonoids; Sophora pachycarpa; Wnt signaling.