13-Homo-13-oxa-6a, 12a-dehydrorotenoids from Derris elliptica

A new rotenoid, 13-homo-13-oxa-6a,12a-dehydroelliptone (1), was isolated from the acetone extract of Derris elliptica (Wall.) Benth (Fabaceae) branches. In addition to this new compound, two previously identified analogues-13-homo-13-oxa-6a,12a-dehydrodeguelin (2) and 13-homo-13-oxa-6a,12a-dehydrorotenone (3)-were also obtained. These substances were examined for their effects on cellular proliferation, cytotoxic potential, and alterations in cell-cycle distribution across several tumor-derived cell lines. Among them, compound 3 demonstrated a concentration-dependent suppression of cell growth in A549, HeLa, and MCF-7 cells. Its cytotoxicity similarly intensified with increasing doses, yielding IC₅₀ values of 19.4 μM in Jurkat cells and 7.6 μM in NALM-6 leukaemia cells. Moreover, exposure to compound 3 led to a decreased fraction of cells residing in the G2/M phase.