Design, synthesis and antitumor evaluation of novel celastrol derivatives

On the basis of the hybridization strategy of natural products, a total of 32 novel celastrol hybrids were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their antitumor activities. Most of these derivatives exihibited significant antiproliferative activities compared to celastrol, among which compound 29 displayed the strongest inhibitory capability [IC50 = 0.15 ± 0.03 μM (A549),0.17 ± 0.03 μM (MCF-7), 0.26 ± 0.02 μM (HepG2)], which exhibited equal or superior anti-cancer activities in comparison to 2-cyano-3,12-dioxoolean-1,9 (11)-dien-28-oic acid methyl ester (CDDO-Me). The mechanism of pharmacological research indicated that 29 possessed the ability to disrupt Hsp90-Cdc37 complex which was stronger than celastrol. Meanwhile, compound 29 could induce abnormal regulation of clients (p-Akt and Cdk4) of Hsp90 and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, compound 29 could also induce cell apoptosis through the death receptor pathway on A549 cells. Taken together, our results demonstrated that 29 might be a promising novel candidate for further druggability research. [Display omitted] •A series of novel celastrol hybrids were designed, synthesized and evaluated.•29 exhibited superior potency compared to the other compounds.•29 disrupted Hsp90-Cdc37 complex and induced apoptosis through extrinsic signaling pathway in A549 cells.•29 down-regulated the expression levels of Akt and Cdk4.