Synthesis and structure–activity relationships of taxuyunnanine C derivatives as multidrug resistance modulator in MDR cancer cells

A series of new generation taxoids bearing a bulky group on different positions such as C-2, C-5, C-7, C-9, C-10 or C-14 were obtained by chemical modifications and biotransformation of taxuyunnanine C (1) and its analogs, 4, 5, and 10. Compounds 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9a showed significant activity toward calcein accumulation in MDR 2780AD cells. The most effective compound 9a with a cinnamoyloxy group at C-14 and a hydroxyl group at C-10 was actually efficient for the cellular accumulation of the anticancer agent, vincristine, in MDR 2780AD cells. The enhancing effects of 6 and 9a for taxol, adriamycin, and vincristine were at the same levels as those of verapamil toward MDR 2780AD cells. Thus, compounds 6 and 9a can modulate the multidrug resistance of cancer cells. The cytotoxicity (IC50) of the compounds was examined against human normal cell line, WI-38, and cancer model cell lines, VA-13 and HepG2. Since compounds 6 and 8 had no cytotoxicity, they were expected to be lead compounds of MDR cancer reversal agents. On the contrary, compounds 3, 5, and 9a showed cell growth inhibitory activity toward VA-13 and/or HepG2 as well as accumulation activity of calcein and/or vincristine in MDR 2780AD and they were expected to be lead compounds of new-type anticancer agents.