Pyrones Isolated from Annona Acutiflora Exhibit Promising Cytotoxic Effects on Cancer Cell Lines

Abstract

AbstractThis work discusses the ongoing challenge of cancer, focusing on therapy issues such as chemotherapy resistance and adverse drug effects. It emphasizes the need for new anticancer agents with improved efficacy and fewer side effects, exploring natural products from plant sources. The Annonaceae family, specifically the Annona genus, is highlighted for its medicinal properties, including anti‐inflammatory and anticancer effects. The study focuses on the isolation and elucidation of the substances present in Annona acutiflora leaves. The methodology involves chromatographic and spectroscopy techniques. The isolated compounds, (6S)‐5′‐oxohepten‐1′E,3′E‐dienyl)‐5,6‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one (1), (6R)‐5′‐oxohepten‐1′Z,3′E‐dienyl)‐5,6‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one (2) and (6R)‐5′‐oxohepten‐1′Z,3′E‐dienyl)‐5,6‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one (3) were investigated for cytotoxicity assays on cancer cell lines and normal cells. Results show promising cytotoxic activity, particularly with compound 3, demonstrating potential activity against oral cancer (43.18 μM), hepatocarcinoma (17.24 μM), melanoma (5.39 μM), and colon cancer (59.03 μM). The compound outperforms carboplatin in selectivity against oral cancer (S. I. 2.15) and melanoma (S. I. 17.22). The study concludes by suggesting the potential of these α‐pyrones as effective and less toxic alternatives for cancer therapy.