Cytotoxicity and Synergistic Effect of the Constituents from Roots of Aglaia odorata (Meliaceae)

Twelve compounds were isolated from the roots of Aglaia odorata. Their structures were established on the basis of NMR and MS data as rocaglaol (1), rocaglamide (2), eichlerialactone (3), sapelins A (4), isofouquierone (5), eichlerianic acid (6), shoreic acid (7), agladupol E (8), 3-epimeliantriol (9), cleomiscosins B (10), 2β,3β-dihydroxy-5α-pregnane-16-one (11) and β-D-glucopyranos-1-yl N-methylpyrrole-2-carboxylate (12). Among them, compounds 1 and 2 showed significant cytotoxicity against human Cancer cell (HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7 and SW480) with IC50 values of 0.007-0.095 μM, while compounds 3-5 and 10 and 11 showed moderate to no cytotoxicity (IC50 0.43 to values >40 μM). Compound 6 showed only weak cytotoxicity (IC50 6.87 to >40 μM) and its epmier 7 was completely inactivite (IC50>40 μM) in the assay. However, potent synergistic effect was observed when the molar ratio of 6 to 7 is between 4:1 and 1:1.