Cynanbungeigenin C and D, a pair of novel epimers from Cynanchum bungei, suppress hedgehog pathway-dependent medulloblastoma by blocking signaling at the level of Gli

Uncontrolled excessive activation of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is linked to a number of human malignant tumorigenesis. To obtain valuable Hh pathway inhibitors from natural product, in present study, a pair of novel epimers, Cynanbungeigenin C (CBC) and D (CBD) from the plant Cynanchum bungei Decne were chemically characterized by multiple spectroscopic data and chemical derivatization, and evaluated for their inhibition on Hh pathway. Mechanistically, CBC and CBD block Hh pathway signaling not through targeting Smo and Sufu, but at the level of Gli. In addition, both eipmers significantly suppress Hh pathway-dependent Ptch+/−; p53−/− medulloblastoma in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, both CBC and CBD inhibited two Smo mutants induced Hh pathway activation, which suggested that they are potential compounds for the treatment of medulloblastoma with primary or acquired resistance to current Smo inhibitors. These results highlight the potential of CBC and CBD as effective lead compounds in the treatment of medulloblastoma and other Hh-dependent malignancy. •A pair of epimers Cynanbungeigenin C (CBC) and D (CBD) are novel natural compounds.•CBC and CBD block Hh pathway signaling at the level of Gli.•CBC and CBD suppress Ptch+/−; p53−/− medulloblastoma growth in vitro and in vivo.•CBC and CBD may overcome the primary and acquired resistance to Smo inhibitors.