Bioactive metabolites from the leaves of Withania adpressa

Withania (Solanaceae) species are known to be a rich source of withanolides, which have shown several biological properties.

To identify the compounds responsible for Withania adpressa Coss. antioxidant activity and further test them for their NF-κB inhibition and antiproliferative activity in multiple myeloma cells.

Compounds were obtained from the EtOAc extract of W. adpressa leaves. Structure elucidation was carried out mainly by 1D- and 2D-NMR, and mass spectrometry. Isolated compounds were tested in a dose-response for their in vitro NF-κB inhibition and antiproliferative activity in multiple myeloma cells after 5 and 72 h treatment, respectively.

The fractionation resulted in the isolation of a new glycowithanolide named wadpressine (5) together with withanolide F, withaferin A, coagulin L, and nicotiflorin. The latter showed a moderate ability to scavenge free radicals in DPPH (IC₅₀ = 35.3 µM) and NO (IC₅₀ = 41.3 µM) assays. Withanolide F and withaferin A exhibited low µM antiproliferative activity against both multiple myeloma cancer stem cells and RPMI 8226 cells. Furthermore, they inhibited NF-κB activity with IC₅₀ values of 1.2 and 0.047 µM, respectively. The other compounds showed a moderate inhibition of cell proliferation in RPMI 8226 cells, but were inactive against cancer stem cells and did not inhibit NF-κB activity.

One new glycowithanolide and four known compounds were isolated. Biological evaluation data gave further insight on the antitumor potential of withanolides for refractory cancers.