Identification of 16,25-O-diacetyl-cucurbitane F and 25-O-acetyl-23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin F as novel anti-cancer chemicals

Seven new cucurbitane glucosides, hemslepensides J-P (1–7), and two known compounds, 16,25-O-diacetyl-cucurbitane F (8) and 25-O-acetyl-23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin F (9), were isolated from the tubers of Hemsleya pengxianensis var. jinfushanensis. The structures of 1–7 were elucidated using infrared absorption spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The treatment of HT29 cells, human colon cancer cells, with compounds 8 and 9 inhibited cell proliferation. Further study demonstrated that compounds 8 and 9 induced F-actin aggregation, G(2)/M phase cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis in HT29 cells. In summary, the present study enriched the chemical composition research of H. pengxianensis, and suggested that the compounds 8/9 treatment may be a potentially useful therapeutic option for colon cancer.