recent advances in the studies on luotoninsluotonins研究最新进展.pdfVIP

Molecules 2011, 16, 4861-4883; doi:10.3390/molecule OPEN ACCESS molecules ISSN 1420-3049 /journal/molecules Review Recent Advances in the Studies on Luotonins Jing Lu Liang, Hyo Chang Cha and Yurngdong Jahng * College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 712-749, Korea * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ydjahnag@ynu.ac.kr; Tel.: +1-82-53-810-2821; Fax: +1-53-810-4654. Received: 12 April 2011; in revised form: 8 June 2011 / Accepted: 10 June 2011 / Published: 14 June 2011 Abstract: Luotonins are alkaloids from the aerial parts of Peganum nigellastrum Bunge. that display three major skeleton types. Luotonins A, B, and E are pyrroloquinazolino- quinoline alkaloids, luotonins C and D are canthin-6-one alkaloids, and luotonin F is a 4(3H)-quinazolinone alkaloid. All six luotonins have shown promising cytotoxicities towards selected human cancer cell lines, especially against leukemia P-388 cells. Luotonin A is the most active one, with its activity stemming from topoisomerase I-dependent DNA-cleavage. Such intriguing biological activities and unique structures have led not only to the development of synthetic methods for the efficient synthesis of these compounds, but also to interest in structural modifications for improving the biological properties. Recent progress in the study of luotonins is covered. Keywords: luoton