Cytotoxic potential of dihydrochalcones from Eriosema glomeratum and their semi-synthetic derivatives

In the search of cytotoxic dihydrochalcones, this investigation led to the isolation of seven compounds (1-7) from Eriosema glomeratum and the preparation of eight derivatives (8-15). The cytotoxicity of samples was evaluated against lung (A549), breast (MCF-7), and cervical (HeLa) human cancer cells. The CH2Cl2/MeOH extract of the aerial part had strong cytotoxicity against all cells [IC50 11.2 (MCF-7), 8.4 (HeLa) and 13.1 (A549) mu g/mL]. A strong activity was also displayed by the n-hexane fraction on MCF-7 (IC50 11.2 mu g/mL). The precursor 3 and the derivative 8 were specifically found as strong cytotoxic agents toward MCF-7 (7.6 mu M) and HeLa (3.1 mu M), respectively and were more effective than the positive control. Derivatives 8 (3.1 mu M) and 9 (21.3 mu M) against HeLa were most potent than their precursor 3 (23.7 mu M). This is the first preparation of 8-14 as well as the cytotoxicity of 3, 4, 8-15, fractions, and extract.