Novel derivative of benzofuran induces cell death mostly by G2/M cell cycle arrest through p53-dependent pathway but partially by inhibition of NF-kappaB.

The Dracaena resin is widely used in traditional medicine as an anticancer agent, and benzofuran lignan is the active component. In this report, we provide evidence that the synthetic derivative of benzofuran lignan (Benfur) showed antitumor activities. It induced apoptosis in p53-positive cells.

A dihydrobenzofuran lignan induces cell death by modulating mitochondrial pathway and G2/M cell cycle arrest.

A dihydrobenzofuran lignan, the dimerization product of caffeic acid methyl ester, has shown pronounced antileishmanial and antiplasmodial activities. The present study showed the effect of this compound on cell cycle and apoptosis. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the cells were arrested in the G2/M phase.

Novel caffeic acid ester derivative induces apoptosis by expressing FasL and downregulating NF-KappaB: Potentiation of cell death mediated by chemotherapeutic agents.

In the present study, we demonstrate the biological activity of esterified caffeic acid with methyl vanillate also termed as caffeic acid methyl vanillate ester (CAMVE). CAMVE potentiates TNF-induced cell death as analyzed by cell viability assay and blocks inflammatory stimuli-induced nuclear transcription factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation and NF-kappaB-dependent genes expression. CAMVE-mediated inhibition of NF-kappaB or induction of cell death is not cell type specific.

Downregulation of inflammatory responses by novel caffeic acid ester derivative by inhibiting NF-kappa B.

Introduction: Considering anti-tumorigenic activity of caffeic acid phenyl ester, synthesis of several esterified form of caffeic acid is a novel approach in designing for potent drugs.

Results: Our study demonstrates that esterified caffeic acid with methyl vanillate, termed as caffeic acid methyl vanillate ester (CAMVE), blocked inflammatory stimuli-induced inflammatory responses. It decreased amounts of iNOS, Cox-2, and ICAM1 by inhibiting NF-kappaB through inhibition of IKK activity, I kappaB alpha degradation, and p65 nuclear translocation.