Canadensenes: Natural and semi-synthetic analogues
Keyword(s):
The first bicyclic taxanes isolated in the needles of the Canadian yew were named canadensene 1 and 5-epi-canadensene 2. Four additional analogues (36), isolated previously in Taxus chinensis and Taxus mairei, and a new natural 5-epi-canadensene analog 7 with a C-20-cinnamoyl group, were characterized for the first time in the needles of Taxus canadensis. A bicyclic derivative 8 with a docetaxel side chain on C-20 was synthesized using 5-epi-canadensene 2 as starting material. The lack of bioactivities of these bicyclic analogues (tubulin polymerization and cytotoxicities against human cancer cell lines) is discussed.Key words: Taxus canadensis, Taxaceae, taxanes, natural products, semi-synthesis.