Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of podocarpane and totarane derivatives

The synthesis of podocarpanes, including the acetoxy phenol 23, isolated from Gaultheria yunnanensis and not previously synthesized, and totarane-type terpenoids, such as the catechol 28 and the ortho-quinone 27, starting from the natural labdane trans-communic acid is described. Their antiproliferative activities against MCF-7, T-84 and A-549 human tumoural cell lines are studied. The totarane o-quinone 27, and especially the catechol 28, which is readily oxidisable to compound 27, were the most active compounds. The results of the present study indicate that compound 28, at least, might be useful as an antitumoural agent.192