Prenylflavonoids isolated from Artocarpus champeden with TRAIL-resistance overcoming activity

In a screening program for bioactive natural products which can overcome Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-resistance, three prenylflavonoids, named pannokin A-C, were isolated from a MeOH extract of Artocarpus champeden (Moraceae) roots, together with three known prenylflavonoids. The structures of pannokin A-C were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. These of the prenylflavonoids in combination with TRAIL, showed cytotoxic activity in sensitizing TRAIL-resistant human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells. Of these compounds, heterophyllin increased caspase 3/7 activity when combined with TRAIL in AGS cells, and enhanced the expression of DR4 and DR5 mRNA. Moreover, heterophyllin up-regulated mRNA expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-homologous protein (CHOP) which was reported to be an important regulator of DR5 expression. Thus, heterophyllin was presumed to cause a CHOP-dependent up-regulation of DR5 expression resulting in apoptosis in AGS cells.