Effect of natural 2,5-diaryl-3,4-dimethyltetrahydrofuran lignans on complement activation, lymphocyte proliferation, and growth of tumor cell lines

Abstract

(+)-Machillin F, isolated from the bark of Persea membranacea, Kosterm and four other 2,5-diaryl-3,4-dimethyltetrahydrofuran-type lignans from Talauma hodgsonii Hook, F. & Thoms., (-)-galbacin, (-)-talaumidin, (-)-talaumidin methyl ether, and acetyl talaumidin, were evaluated for their influence on the classical and alternative pathways of activation of human complement system, mitogen-induced proliferation of human lymphocytes, and growth of human tumor cell lines. All these lignans exhibited moderate inhibitory activities. (+)-Machillin F showed the highest anticomplementary activity, and (-)-talaumidin methyl ether exhibited the strongest suppressive effect on lymphocyte proliferation. (-)-Talaumidin, acetyl talaumidin, and (+)-machillin F inhibited the growth of MCF-7, TK-10, and UACC-62 cell lines, whereas (-)-galbacin was inactive against UACC-62 and (-)-talaumidin methyl was inactive against both TK-10 and UACC-62. A characterization of the structural features of these lignans that is important to their biological activities is discussed.