Bufadienolides from Helleborus foetidus and their cytotoxic properties on MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Twelve bufadienolides and six 19-norbufadienolides were isolated from the aerial parts of Helleborus foetidus. They consist of aglycons and glucosides and include nine previously undescribed compounds and a compound reported for the first time as a genuine natural product. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis and the structure and absolute configuration of two previously unreported 3,4-epoxy derivatives were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. They show differential cytotoxic activity with IC50 values in the range of 2.4 nM - >10 μM. The potency of the activity strongly correlates with the presence of a C-19 aldehyde group. The data complement the scientific basis underpinning the use of H. foetidus in anthroposophic medicine for the integrative treatment of cancer.

Keywords

Helleborus foetidus, Ranunculaceae, Bufadienolides, Cytotoxicity, MCF-7 cells

Subject (DDC)

500 - Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik

Project

Event

Exhibition start date

Exhibition end date

Conference start date

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Date of the last check

ISBN

ISSN

0031-9422
1873-3700

Language

English

Created during FHNW affiliation

Yes

Strategic action fields FHNW

Publication status

Published

Review

Peer review of the complete publication

Open access category

Hybrid

License

Citation

Potterat, O., Kaufmann, M., Tschopp, C., Caj, M., Reinhardt, J. K., Prescimone, A., Shah, D., Baumgartner, S., Sciotti, M., & Suter-Dick, L. (2025). Bufadienolides from Helleborus foetidus and their cytotoxic properties on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Phytochemistry, 230, 114329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114329

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