A Cytotoxic and Hepatoprotective Agent from Withania somnifera and Biological evaluation of its Ester Derivatives
2007 ◽
Vol 2
(7)
◽
pp. 1934578X0700200
◽
Keyword(s):
Detailed chemical investigation of Withania somnifera roots resulted in the isolation and identification of a cytotoxic and hepatoprotective agent, palmitic acid (1), which was converted to eight semi-synthetic ester derivatives 2–9. t-Butyl palmitate (8) and amyl palmitate (9) were 4–6 times more active than 1 against adherent and suspension colon cancer cell lines. Interestingly, palmitic acid (1) and its ester derivatives 2–9 also showed hepatoprotective activity which is being reported for the first time.