Potential anti-proliferative effects of chemical constituents and hemisynthetic derivatives from Scadoxus pseudocaulus (Amarillydaceae)

Background: Biological significance of Amaryllidaceae is well advocated from the literature. In Cameroon, plants from this fam- ily are routinely used for the cure of liver, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. To date, no scientific investigation corresponding to the anti-cancer activity of extracts and isolated compounds of Scadoxus pseudocaulus is available. Objective: Current study is focused to elaborate the anti-proliferative effects of natural isolates (compounds 1-6, 9) and hemi-synthetic analogs (compounds 7-8) extracted from S. pseudocaulu. Methods: Column chromatography of the ethyl acetate extract followed by purification of different fractions led to the isolation of seven compounds (1 – 6, 9). Esterification reaction of compound 6 was carried out using butyroyl chlorides and triethylamin to produce two derivatives (7 – 8). The cytotoxic activity was performed after staining of treated cells with florescent dye propid- ium iodide. Dead cells were detected using cytometer FL2 or FL3 channels/filters. Results: Trans-derivative of narciclasine (a natural isolate from S. pseudocaulus), was found to be most potent among all tested compounds. Its effects were more significant on low malignant follicular lymphoma (DoHH2 cells) as compared to highly ma- lignant (EBV infected) Burkitts lymphoma (Raji cells). Conclusion: From our results, narciclasine appears to hold the potential of a lead molecule that can be used to bridge the ther- apeutic gaps in cancer research. Keywords: Scadoxus pseudocaulus; Amaryllidaceae; 7-deoxy-trans-dihydronarciclasin; farrerol; derivatization; cytotoxic activity.