Synthesis and antitumor activity of three novel ginsenoside M1 derivatives with 3'-ester modifications

Ginsenoside M1 (M1) was considered to be the main antitumor component of ginsenoside metabolites in the body. In order to enhance its potency on antitumor effect, three novel M1 3'-ester derivatives (1c, 2c, 3c) were synthesized and evaluated. The yield of these derivatives was between 41% and 69%. Compared with M1, 2c and 3c can improve the efficacy of the inhibition on breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, especially for MCF-7 (fold: 0.7-4.2, p < 0.0001). Further study suggested that 2c and 3c may cause cell autophagy and promote apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. The results indicated the 3'-ester modified M1 derivatives 2c and 3c possess higher abilities of inhibition growth towards triple-positive breast cancer and provided a new source for synthesis of potential anti-breast cancer drugs.