Preparation, anticholinesterase activity and molecular docking of new lupane derivatives

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.bmc.2014.04.050

A set of twenty one lupane derivatives (2-22) was prepared from the natural triterpenoid calenduladiol (1) by transformations on the hydroxyl groups at C-3 and C-16, and also on the isopropenyl moiety. The derivatives were tested for their inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and some structure-activity relationships were outlined with the aid of enzyme kinetic studies and docking modelization. The most active compound resulted to be 3,16,30-trioxolup-20(29)-ene (22), with an IC₅₀ value of 21.5 μM for butyrylcholinesterase, which revealed a selective inhibitor profile towards this enzyme.

Full text of DOI:10.1016/j.bmc.2014.04.050

Accepted Manuscript
Preparation, anticholinesterase activity and molecular docking of new lupane
derivatives
María Julia Castro, Victoria Richmond, Carmen Romero, Marta S. Maier, Ana
Estévez-Braun, Ángel G. Ravelo, María Belén Faraoni, Ana Paula Murray
PII:
S0968-0896(14)00315-0
DOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2014.04.050
BMC 11545
Reference:
Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry
To appear in:
Received Date:
Revised Date:
Accepted Date:
12 March 2014
16 April 2014
25 April 2014
Please cite this article as: Castro, M.J., Richmond, V., Romero, C., Maier, M.S., Estévez-Braun, A., Ravelo, Á.,
Faraoni, M.B., Murray, A.P., Preparation, anticholinesterase activity and molecular docking of new lupane
derivatives, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry (2014), doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2014.04.050
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Preparation, anticholinesterase activity and molecular docking of new lupane
derivatives
María Julia Castroa, Victoria Richmondb, Carmen Romeroc, Marta S. Maierb, Ana Estévez-
Braunc, Ángel G. Raveloc, María Belén Faraonia, Ana Paula Murraya,*
a INQUISUR-CONICET, Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Av. Alem 1253,
B8000CPB, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
b UMYMFOR (CONICET-UBA) and Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas
y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, 1428 Buenos Aires,
Argentina
c Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica (CIBICAN), Av. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 2, 38206,
Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +54 291 4595101.
E-mail address apmurray@uns.edu.ar
ABSTRACT
A set of twenty one lupane derivatives (2-22) was prepared from the natural triterpenoid
calenduladiol (1) by transformations on the hydroxyl groups at C-3 and C-16, and also
on the isopropenyl moiety. The derivatives were tested for their inhibitory activity
against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and some
structure-activity relationships were outlined with the aid of enzyme kinetic studies and
docking modelization. The most active compound resulted to be 3,16,30-trioxolup-
20(29)-ene (22), with an IC50 value of 21.5 µM for butyrylcholinesterase, which
revealed a selective inhibitor profile towards this enzyme.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; cholinesterase inhibitors; lupane derivatives;
triterpenoids; molecular modelling
1

1. Introduction
Triterpenoids are naturally occurring compounds with ubiquitous distribution and a
wide range of biological activities.1-3 Pentacyclic triterpenoids provide privileged
structures for further modifications and structure activity relationship (SAR) studies.4-6
Lupanes in particular, have attracted attention since they exhibit a broad range of
biological and pharmacological properties such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-
HIV, anticholinesterase, insecticidal and antimalarial activities.2,3,7-15
Alzheimer´s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with
memory impairment and cognitive deficit. It is characterized by low levels of the
neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) in the brain of AD patients. The inhibition of
acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the enzyme that catalyzes ACh hydrolysis, is the most
used therapeutic strategy used to treat AD. AChE inhibitors can alleviate AD symptoms
by improving cholinergic functions in AD patients. In the healthy brain,
butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), another enzyme, is involved in the metabolic degradation
of ACh. BChE activity increases as AD progresses. Therefore, the concurrent inhibition
of both AChE and BChE should provide additional benefits in the treatment of AD.16-19
Our interest in bioactive triterpenes, prompted us to synthesize a series of derivatives
from natural calenduladiol (1), isolated from Chuquiraga erinacea D. Don. subsp.
erinacea (Asteraceae).11-13,20 Calenduladiol (1) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid belonging to
the lupane type (Fig. 1). In a previous work, we observed the enhancement of the
inhibitory activity against AChE of 1 by the introduction of sulfate groups when it was
treated with the sulfating reagent Me3N·SO3 and the analogue 2 was obtained.13 In this
paper we report the preparation of 21 lupane derivatives (2-22) from compound 1 and
their ability to inhibit AChE and BChE. Furthermore, we have studied the kinetic of the
AChE inhibition for the most active derivative (10) and the key binding interactions
between this compound and AChE through docking modelization.
2. Results and discussion
2.1 Chemistry
2

In order to analyze the role of the hydroxyl groups at C-3 and C-16, and also the
importance of the isopropenyl moiety in the anticholinesterase activity, we have carried
out the transformations shown in Schemes 1 and 2.
The starting calenduladiol 1, was obtained in good yield from the ethanolic extract of C.
erinacea subsp. erinacea, as previously reported.13 Allylic oxidation of 1 with 2.5 equiv
of SeO2 afforded the corresponding α,β-unsaturated aldehyde 3 in very good yield while
the treatment of 1 with a 0.5 equiv of SeO2 rendered the allylic alcohol 4 as the major
product. Reduction of the double bond of 1 was carried out by catalytic hydrogenation
yielding the derivative 5 (Scheme 1).
Treatment of diols 1, 3 and 5 with 8 equiv of trimethylamine-sulfur trioxide complex
(Me3N.SO3) for 7 min at 150°C under MW irradiation afforded the corresponding
ammonium sulfates, which were transformed via ion exchange into the disodium salts 2,
7 and 10, respectively (Scheme 1). The 1H and 13C NMR spectra of compounds 2, 7,
and 10, confirmed that sulfate groups were located at C-3 and C-16. Resonances
showing H-3α at δH 3.91 ppm (dd, J = 4.2, 11.4 Hz) and H-16α at δH 4.32 ppm (t, J =
8.0 Hz) for compound 2, H-3α at δH 3.92 ppm (dd, J = 4.3, 11.5 Hz) and H-16α at δH
4.49 ppm (t, J = 7.8 Hz) for compound 7 and H-3α at δH 3.93 ppm (dd, J = 4.2, 11.5
Hz) and H-16α at δH 4.30 ppm (dd, J = 6.2, 9.7 Hz) for compound 10 were
characteristic of the presence of two sulfate groups at C-3 and C-16, both of them in β
orientation. This was in accordance with the chemical shifts observed for C-3 (δC 87.6
ppm (2), 87.9 ppm (7) and 87.8 ppm (10)) and C-16 (δC 85.8 ppm (2), 85.9 ppm (7) and
86.3 ppm (10)) which were unequivocally assigned from the HSQC and HMBC spectra.
Compounds 1 and 2 were converted into the epoxy derivatives 6 and 11, respectively,
by treatment with MCPBA. The 20-(S) configuration of these compounds was assigned
on the basis of our previous work with similar 20,29-epoxylupanes using VCD.12
The trisulfated derivative 8 was obtained by sulfation of triol 4 with Me3N.SO3 (12
equiv) (Scheme 1). The downfield shift of 8.5 ppm for C-3, 8.4 ppm for C-16 and 6
ppm for C-30 in the 13C NMR spectrum of compound 8, compared to compound 4,
confirmed that the sulfate groups were located at C-3, C-16 and C-30. Considering that
this synthetic route gave an overall yield of 4 %, from compound 1 in two steps, we
decided to try an alternative path by the reduction of aldehyde 7. Although this route
involved four steps, the overall yield was 22% from 1. Intermediate alcohol 9 was
3

obtained by treatment of 7 with NaBH4 and EuCl3 without affecting sulfate groups
attached to C-3 and C-16.21 A subsequent reaction of 9 with Me3N.SO3 (4 equiv)
rendered the trisulfated 8 (Scheme 1).
Diols 1 and 3 were treated with an excess of acetic anhydride in pyridine to yield the
diacetylated compounds 12 and 15, respectively, while the triacetylated compound (16)
was obtained from triol 4 using the same reaction conditions (Scheme 2). The 1H and
13C NMR spectra of compounds 12, 15, and 16, confirmed that two acetoxy groups
were located at C-3 and C-16, both of them with a β orientation. 1H and 13C signals
were unequivocally assigned with the analyses of HSQC and HMBC correlations.
When 1 was treated with 1 equiv of acetic anhydride, a 1:1 mixture of the monoacetates
13 and 14 was obtained. Both monoacetylated derivatives were separated and purified
by flash chromatography. The spectroscopic data of 13 revealed that the 16β hydroxyl
group remained free while the acetoxy group was attached to C-3. 1H and 13C NMR
data of compound 14 confirmed that, in this case, the acetoxy group was attached to C-
16.
Treatment of diol 1 with the corresponding acyl chlorides in pyridine and DMAP,
afforded the esters 17, 18 and 19. The diacid 20 was prepared by reaction of 1 with
adipoyl chloride and subsequent hydrolysis of the intermediate acyl chloride (Scheme
2). Finally, diketones 21 and 22 were prepared from 1 and 3, respectively, by oxidation
with Jones reagent in acetone.
2.2 In vitro inhibition studies on AChE and BChE
The AChE inhibitory activity of compounds 3–22 was evaluated and compared to that
of natural triterpenoid 1 and analogue 2, previously prepared by our group.13 The AChE
inhibition was determined by Ellman`s method with eserine and tacrine as reference
compounds. 22 In a preliminary assay the inhibition percentage at a fixed concentration
was determined for all the derivatives. Compounds 3-6, 8-11, 20 and 22 showed better
inhibition than 1, under the same experimental conditions. The concentration required
for 50% AChE inhibition (IC50) was then determined for those compounds. The results
for AChE inhibition are summarized in Table 1.
Most of the tested compounds were observed to elicit a weak AChE inhibition, with
IC50 values higher than 200 µM. In general, when the hydroxyl groups were acylated
4

(12-19) the inhibition of ACE was of the same order than that of the starting compound
1. Also, sulfation of those groups was observed to render better ACE inhibitors, as long
as the side chain was not oxidized (2 vs. 1, 10 vs. 5). On the other hand, for non-sulfated
compounds, when the side chain was oxidized a higher inhibition was observed
compared to the natural triterpenoid (3, 4, 6 vs. 1). Compound 10, with two sulfate
groups at C-3 and C-16 and an isopropyl group attached to C-19, showed the most
potent inhibition for AChE with an IC50 value of 58.8 µM. Even if 10 was found to be
less active than the reference compounds, it was able to inhibit the enzyme more
effectively than 2 (IC50 =190.0 µM), showing the importance of the isopropyl group
instead of the isopropenyl moiety in the activity. Derivative 10 was selected for the
kinetic study of AChE inhibition and also for molecular docking.
Compounds 2-22 were also evaluated as potential BChE inhibitors in a preliminary
assay (percentage of BChE inhibition at a fixed concentration) and compared to 1
(Table 1). Most of the derivatives exhibited higher inhibition of BChE than that
observed for AChE. The IC50 values were determined only for those analogues that
exhibited better inhibition than 1 in the preliminary assay (2, 8-11, 13-15, 20 and 22).
As shown in Table 1, compounds 2, 9, 10, 20 and 22 exhibited BChE inhibition with
IC50 values lower than 200 µM. Again, the sulfation of the hydroxyl groups proved to
be a successful strategy to increase enzyme inhibition of these triterpenoids (2 vs. 1, 10
vs. 5). The most active compound resulted to be 22, 3,16,30-trioxolup-20(29)-ene, with
an IC50 value of 21.5 µM, which revealed a selective inhibitor profile towards BChE.
This result is interesting because BChE has the ability of delaying the onset and
decreasing the rate of Aβ fibril formation in vitro, a central event in the pathogenesis of
AD.23,24
2.3 Kinetic characterization of AChE inhibition
Disodium 3,16-disulfate with a saturated lateral chain 10 was identified as the most
potent AChE inhibitor. Thus, it was chosen for the determination of the inhibitor type
kinetic study. Enzyme activity was evaluated at different fixed substrate concentrations
and increasing inhibitor concentrations and the data obtained were used to elucidate the
enzyme inhibition mechanism. The results are illustrated in the form of Lineweaver–
Burk plots (Fig. 2). The double-reciprocal plots show that both Km and Vmax values are
enhanced with increasing concentration of 10, but the ratio of Km/Vmax is still
5

unchanged. The slopes are independent of the concentration of the inhibitor, which
indicate that this compound is an uncompetitive inhibitor of the enzyme. Compound 10
does not bind to the free enzyme but binds reversibly to the enzyme–substrate complex,
yielding an inactive complex.
Replots of the 1/v versus concentration of compound 10 gave an estimate of the
inhibition constant αKi of 144.4 µM.
.
2.4 Molecular modeling study
Molecular docking studies were performed to obtain more information about the
binding mode and the interactions between the enzyme and compound 10 -the most
active of the tested group- and to gain a structural insight into the inhibition mechanism.
The docking studies were performed with the AChE complexed with acetylcholine
according to the enzyme inhibition mechanism of 10. Table 2 summarizes the docking
results of the derivative 10. Two hundred and fifty-six docking runs with 10 generated
256 conformers that were clustered according to their similarity, rendering four clusters.
The best results of the docking were the conformations of cluster N°1, the cluster with
the lowest energy, and cluster N°3, the largest one because solutions that are found
many times in reiterated docking experiments typically correspond to compounds with
better free energy of binding.25,26
The conformation adopted in cluster N°1 is shown in Figure 3A. Part of the triterpenoid
is buried into the aromatic gorge, explaining the acompetitive inhibition mechanism of
the AChE. It penetrates the peripheral site through A ring and binds the enzyme at the
entrance of the gorge near the enzyme surface leaving rings D and E out of the pocket.
The main hydrophobic interactions between the hydrocarbon skeleton of the inhibitor
and the protein were observed with the residues: GLN74, PHE290, PHE331 and
TYR334 (Fig. 4A). The docking simulation also showed that the affinity of 10 for the
complex enzyme-substrate is favored by hydrogen bonding interactions, which involve
the sulfate group at ring A. Sulfate group at C-3 come close to TYR121. The distance
between the sulfate oxygen of the inhibitor and hydroxyl group of the TYR121 is 2.41
Å.
The conformation of cluster N°3 is shown in Figure 3B. The triterpenoid is located at
the entrance of the gorge exposing its aliphatic side to the enzyme. The main
6

hydrophobic interactions between the hydrocarbon skeleton of the inhibitor 10 and the
protein were observed with the residues: GLN74, TRP279, ILE287, PHE290, TYR334
(Fig. 4B). Binding is also assisted by a hydrogen bond between the sulfate group
oxygen at C-3 and the hydrogen of the amide group side chain of GLN74 (1.87 Å).
In both cases the major interactions are hydrophobic due to the many aromatic residues
located at the peripheral site. These results agree with those recently reported by our
group for a disulfated steroidal inhibitor of the AChE. 27 This study revealed that the
2β,3α-dihydroxy-5α-cholestan-6-one disulfate penetrates the gorge of the AChE
through its side chain due to its high hydrophobic character whereas ring A substituted
with two sulfate groups is placed out of the pocket. This compound mainly showed
hydrophobic interactions between the side chain and rings C and D with the aromatic
residues of the enzyme. The disulfated cholestane, that also showed an acompetitive
mechanism of action, is buried into the peripheral site, such as compound 10.
The docking studies allowed us to establish the orientation of the inhibitor 10 relative to
the AChE as well as its conformation when bound to each other. This study allowed
identifying hydrophobic interactions inside the aromatic gorge and hydrogen bonding
interactions acting as stabilizing factors in the enzyme-substrate-inhibitor complex.
Further molecular dynamics studies of this complex as starting point are necessary to
check the complex inhibitor-enzyme stability, to determinate if the enzyme undergoes
structural rearrangements and verify the distances and an angles observed in the
interactions are within a suitable range.
3. Conclusion
In summary, a set of lupane derivatives (2-22) has been synthesized from calenduladiol
(1), a triterpenoid with the uncommon feature of being hydroxylated at C-16, which is
not commercially available. These compounds have been prepared by simple reactions
with moderate to good yields, rendering twenty one triterpenoids, seventeen new and
four known compounds. All of them were tested for in vitro anticholinesterase activity
against AChE and BChE. Compound 10 was identified as the most effective AChE
inhibitor. A kinetic study of inhibition of AChE and molecular modeling indicated that
10 was able to bind to the complex enzyme-substrate with hydrophobic and hydrogen
7

bonding interactions acting as stabilizing factors in the enzyme-substrate-inhibitor
complex. On the other hand, compound 22, resulted to be the most active against BChE
showing also selectivity towards this enzyme, an interesting results considering that the
role of BChE is more relevant as the disease progresses. The findings of the present
study suggest that this trioxolupane may provide a useful template for the development
of new lupane derivatives with improved and selective BChE inhibition.
4. Experimental section
4.1 Chemistry
Melting points were determined on a Fisher-Johns apparatus and are uncorrected. NMR
measurements, including COSY, HSQC, HMBC experiments, were carried out on
Bruker ARX300, Bruker Avance 400, Bruker AMK 500 and/or Bruker AMK 600
spectrometers. NMR spectra were recorded in CDCl3, MeOD or DMSO-d6. Chemical
shifts are given in ppm (δ) with TMS as an internal standard. High- and low-resolution
mass spectra were obtained on a VG Autospec spectrometer and a LCT Premier XE
(Waters) spectrometer. UV spectra were recorded on a JASCO V-630BIO
spectrophotometer. Microwave assisted reactions were carried out in a CEM Discover
reactor.
Silica gel 60 (0.2–0.63 mm, Merck) was used for column chromatography. Silica gel 60
(200–425 mesh, Aldrich) was used for flash chromatography. Analytical TLC was
performed on Silicagel 60 F254 sheets (0.2 mm thickness, Merck). p-Anisaldehyde-
acetic acid spray reagent and UV light (254 and 366 nm) were used for detection.
All chemicals and solvents were analytical grade and solvents were purified by general
methods before being used. The commercially available trimethylamine-sulfur trioxide
complex (Me3N.SO3) was purchased from Aldrich. AChE from electric eel (type VI-S),
5,5’-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB), acetylthiocholine iodide (ATCI),
butyrylthiocholine iodide (BTCI), tacrine and eserine were purchased from Sigma.
BChE (horse serum) was purchased from MP Biomedicals. Calenduladiol (1), used as
starting material for the preparation of compounds 2–22, was extracted from aerial parts
of C. erinacea subsp. erinacea as previously described.13 1H and 13C NMR spectra of 1
can be found in the Supplementary data.
8

All derivatives were rigorously characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass
spectrometry. The NMR data of derivatives 2, 3 and 4 were identical to those previously
reported.13,21 In the case of compounds 3, 4 and 12 we have completed the NMR data
available in the literature.21,28 Compounds 5-11, 13-22 are described here for the first
time and bidimensional NMR spectra (COSY, HMBC, HSQC) were used for the
unequivocal assignments of all carbons and representative protons. Selected NMR
spectra are included in the Supplementary data.
4.2. Preparation of 3β,16β-dihydroxylup-20(29)-en-30-al (3).
A solution of 1 (60.0 mg, 0.14 mmol) in EtOH (5 mL) was treated with SeO2 (38.5 mg,
0.35 mmol). The reaction mixture was heated under reflux until the disappearance of the
starting material was confirmed by TLC (24 h). Then, the reaction mixture was cooled
and EtOH was removed under reduced pressure. The crude was treated with water (20
mL) and extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 x 30 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried
over MgSO4, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was
purified by column flash chromatography on silica gel with hexane/AcOEt (7:3) to
afford 60.0 mg of compound 3 (97%). Compound 3 showed identical spectroscopic data
to those previously reported.21 1H and 13C NMR spectra of 3 can be found in the
Supplementary data.
4.3. Preparation of lup-20(29)-en-3β,16β,30-triol (4).
A solution of 1 (86.0 mg, 0.19 mmol) in EtOH (10 mL) was treated with SeO2 (10.8 mg
0.10 mmol). The reaction mixture was heated under reflux for 24 h. Then, the reaction
mixture was cooled and EtOH was removed under reduced pressure. The crude was
treated with water (20 mL) and extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 x 30 mL). The combined
organic extracts were dried over MgSO4, filtered, and concentrated under reduced
pressure. The residue was purified by column flash chromatography on silica gel with
hexane/AcOEt (6.5:3.5) to afforded 17.8 mg of compound 4 (20.2%) as an amorphous
white solid, together with unreacted starting compound 1. Compound 4 showed
identical spectroscopic data to those previously reported.21 EIMS m/z (%): 458 [M]+
(40), 440 (100), 425 (14), 382 (21), 207 (66), 189 (58) ; HR-EIMS m/z: 458.3753 (calcd
9

for C30H50O3 [M]+ 458.3760). 1H and 13C NMR spectra of 4 can be found in the
Supplementary data.
4.4. Preparation of 20,29-dihydrolupan-3β,16β-diol (5).
A solution of 1 (40.0 mg, 0.09 mmol) in dry AcOEt (5 mL) was hydrogenated in the
presence of catalytic amount of Pd/C 10%. The reaction mixture was stirred until the
disappearance of the starting material was confirmed by TLC (24 h). After elimination
of the solvent the residue obtained was submitted to column flash chromatography on
silica gel with hexane/AcOEt (8.5:1.5) to afford 26.1 mg (65%) of compound 5 as a
white amorphous solid, mp 250-252°C; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 0.75 (3H, d, J =
5.1 Hz, H-30), 0.76 (6H, s, H-24, H-28), 0.84 (3H, s, H-26), 0.85 (3H, d, J = 7.1 Hz H-
29), 0.97 (6H, s, H-23, H-25), 1.04 (3H, s, H-27), 3.19 (1H, dd, J = 4.8, 11.2 Hz, H-3),
3.56 (1H, dd, J = 4.8, 11.0 Hz, H-16); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 79.1 (C-3), 77.5
(C-16), 55.4 (C-5), 49.9 (C-9), 48.8 (C-17), 47.3 (C-18), 44.5 (C-19), 44.3 (C-14), 41.1
(C-8), 39.0 (C-4), 39.0 (C-1), 38.2 (C-22), 37.2 (C-10), 37.2 (C-13), 36.9 (C-15), 34.5
(C-7), 29.3 (C-20), 28.1 (C-23), 27.5 (C-2), 26.6 (C-21), 23.1 (C-30), 22.2 (C-12), 21.0
(C-11), 18.5 (C-6), 16.2 (C-25, C-26), 16.1 (C-27), 15.5 (C-29), 15.2 (C-24), 12.2 (C-
28); EIMS m/z (%): 444 [M]+ (68), 429 (4), 426 (42), 411 (10), 207 (100), 189 (56);
HR-EIMS m/z: 444.3982 (calcd for C30H52O2 [M]+ 444.3967).
4.5. Preparation of 20S,29-epoxylupan-3β,16β-diol (6).
MCPBA (98.4 mg, 0.57 mmol) and 6 mL of a 10% Na2CO3 solution were added to a
solution of 1 (169.0 mg, 0.38 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred
vigorously at 5°C for 4 h, and then the aqueous layer was extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 x 20
mL). The combined organic extracts were washed successively with 5% Na2SO3
solution, saturated NaHCO3 solution and water, dried over anhydrous MgSO4 and
evaporated to dryness. The reaction product was purified by column flash
chromatography on silica gel using hexane/AcOEt (7.5:2.5) to give 101.6 mg (58%) of
compound 6 as an amorphous white solid, mp 195-197 °C; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 0.68 (3H, s, H-28), 0.70 (3H, s, H-24), 0.78 (3H, s, H-26), 0.91 (3H, s, H-23), 0.92
(3H, s, H-25), 0.97 (3H, s, H-27), 1.18 (3H, s, H-30), 2.56 (1H, d, J = 4.8 Hz, H-29b),
2.60 (1H, d, J = 4.8 Hz, H-29a) 3.12 (1H, dd, J = 5.5, 10.4 Hz, H-3), 3.51 (1H, dd, J =
10

4.5, 10.9 Hz, H-16); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ 78.8 (C-3), 76.7 (C-16), 60.1 (C-20),
57.1 (C-29), 55.3 (C-5), 49.8 (C-9), 49.0 (C-17), 48.9 (C-19), 46.0 (C-18), 43.9 (C-14),
40.9 (C-8), 38.8 (C-1), 38.8 (C-4), 37.5 (C-22), 37.1 (C-10), 36.6 (C-15), 36.5 (C-13),
34.2 (C-7), 28.0 (C-23), 27.3 (C-2), 26.4 (C-21), 26.2 (C-12), 20.9 (C-11), 18.3 (C-6),
18.3 (C-30), 16.1 (C-26), 16.1 (C-27), 16.0 (C-25), 15.4 (C-24), 11.7 (C-28); EIMS m/z
(%): 458 [M]+ (17), 440 (29), 425 (14), 400 (20), 382 (36), 207 (100), 189 (88); HR-
EIMS m/z: 458.3749 (calcd for C30H50O3 [M]+ 458.3760).
4.6 General procedures for the preparation of the sulfated compounds 2, 7,
8 and 10.
A solution of Me3N.SO3 and 1, 3, 5 or 9 in dry DMF was placed in a microwave-special
closed vial and the solution was irradiated for 7 min at 150 °C in a microwave reactor.
The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature and quenched with water (1
mL). After evaporation to dryness the residue was eluted through Amberlite CG-120
(sodium form) with MeOH, evaporated under reduced pressure and purified by column
flash chromatography on silica gel with CH2Cl2/MeOH mixtures as eluent to afford the
sulfated compounds.
4.6.1. Disodium 3β,16β-dihydroxylup-20(29)-ene disulfate (2)
Following the general procedure, a solution of 1 (100.0 mg, 0.23 mmol) in DMF (4 mL)
was treated with Me3N.SO3 (244.0 mg, 1.81 mmol). Purification of the resulting crude
by flash chromatography with CH2Cl2/MeOH (4:1) afforded 135.9 mg (93%) of
compound 2 as a white amorphous solid. Its 1H and 13C NMR data were identical to
those previously reported.13
4.6.2 Disodium 3β,16β-dihydroxylup-20(29)-en-30-al disulfate (7).
Compound 3 (20.0 mg, 0.04 mmol) in DMF (2 mL) was treated with Me3N.SO3 (47.5
mg, 0.35 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification of the resulting crude
by flash chromatography with CH2Cl2/MeOH (4:1) afforded 25.8 mg (89%) of
compound 7 as a white amorphous solid, mp 107-108 °C; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CD3OD)
δ 0.80 (3H, s, H-25), 0.87 (6H, s, H-26, H-28), 1.02 (3H, s, H-23), 1.04 (3H, s, H-24),
11

1.07 (3H, s, H-27), 2.86 (1H, ddd, J = 5.7, 10.6, 10.7 Hz, H-19), 3.92 (1H, dd, J = 4.3,
11.5 Hz, H-3), 4.49 (1H, t, J = 7.8 Hz, H-16), 6.05 (1H, br s, H-29a), 6.42 (1H, br s, H-
29b), 9.49 (1H, s, H-30); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CD3OD) δ 196.7 (C-30), 157.8 (C-20),
135.2 (C-29), 87.9 (C-3), 85.9 (C-16), 57.2 (C-5), 51.1 (C-9), 50.6 (C-18), 48.8 (C-17),
45.1 (C-14), 42.2 (C-8), 39.8 (C-1), 39.6 (C-4), 38.9 (C-15), 38.9 (C-19), 38.5 (C-13),
38.1 (C-10), 35.6 (C-7), 35.5 (C-22), 33.1 (C-21), 28.7 (C-23), 28.3 (C-12), 25.4 (C-2),
22.0 (C-11), 19.4 (C-6), 16.7 (C-27), 16.7 (C-26), 16.6 (C-25), 16.2 (C-24), 12.8 (C-
28); HRMS (ESI) m/z: 637.2214 (calcd for C30H46NaO9S2 [M – Na]- 637.2481).
4.6.3. Trisodium 3β,16β,30-trihydroxy-lup-20(29)-ene trisulfate (8).
Compound 4 (10.0 mg, 0.02 mmol) in DMF (1 mL) was treated with Me3N.SO3 (35.6
mg, 0.26 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification of the resulting crude
by flash chromatography with CH2Cl2/MeOH (7:3) afforded 3.3 mg (20%) of
compound 8 as a white amorphous solid. Alternatively, a solution of 9 (11.4 mg, 0.02
mmol) in DMF (1 mL) was treated with Me3N.SO3 (9.2 mg, 0.07 mmol) to give 8.3 mg
1
(50%) the same product 8. Mp 100-102°C; H NMR (300 MHz, CD3OD) δ 0.81 (3H, s,
H-25), 0.85 (3H, s, H-28), 0.89 (3H, s, H-26), 1.02 (3H, s, H-23), 1.08 (6H, s, H-24, H-
27), 2.41-2.53 (1H, m, H-19), 3.92 (1H, dd, J = 4.0, 11.1 Hz, H-3), 4.37 (1H, t, J = 8.2
Hz, H-16), 4.97 (1H, br s, H-29a), 5.04 (1H, br s, H-29b), 4.47 (2H, br s, H-30); 13C
NMR (75 MHz, CD3OD) δ 151.0 (C-20), 110.4 (C-29), 87.6 (C-3), 85.8 (C-16), 71.3
(C-30), 57.2 (C-5), 51.3 (C-9), 45.3 (C-14), 45.2 (C-13), 42.3 (C-8), 39.6 (C-1), 39.6
(C-4), 38.8 (C-19), 38.7 (C-15), 38.2 (C-10), 35.7 (C-7), 35.7 (C-22), 30.8 (C-21), 28.7
(C-23), 27.7 (C-12), 25.4 (C-2), 22.2 (C-11), 19.4 (C-6), 16.8 (C-25), 16.7 (C-26), 16.6
(C-27), 16.3 (C-24), 12.8 (C-28); HRMS (ESI) m/z: 741.1781 (calcd for
C30H47Na2O12S3 [M – Na]- 741.2025).
4.6.4. Disodium 3β,16β-dihydroxy-20,29-dihydrolupane disulfate (10).
Compound 5 (22.2 mg, 0.05 mmol) in DMF (2 mL) was treated with Me3N.SO3 (53.9
mg, 0.40 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification of the resulting crude
by flash chromatography with CH2Cl2/MeOH (8.5:1.5) afforded 22.7 mg (70%) of
compound 10 as a white amorphous solid, mp 136-138 °C; 1H NMR (300 MHz,
CD3OD) δ 0.81 (6H, s, H-25, H-28), 0.87 (3H, d, J = 6.9 Hz, H-29), 0.89 (3H, d, J = 6.9
12

Hz, H-30), 0.90 (3H, s, H-26), 1.02 (3H, s, H-23), 1.04 (3H, s, H-24), 1.09 (3H, s, H-
27), 3.93 (1H, dd, J = 4.2, 11.5 Hz, H-3), 4.30 (1H, dd, J = 6.2, 9.7 Hz, H-16); 13C
NMR (75 MHz, CD3OD) δ 87.8 (C-3), 86.3 (C-16), 57.2 (C-5), 51.0 (C-1), 45.8 (C-18),
45.4 (C-19), 42.3 (C-14), 39.8 (C-8), 39.7 (C-4), 39.6 (C-1), 39.5 (C-15), 38.5 (C-10),
38.1 (C-13), 35.6 (C-22), 35.5 (C-7), 30.5 (C-20), 28.7 (Me-23), 27.7 (C-21), 25.4 (C-
2), 23.3 (Me-30), 22.8 (C-12), 22.1 (C-11), 19.4 (C-6), 16.8 (C-26), 16.7 (C-25), 16.6
(C-27), 16.2 (C-29), 15.4 (C-24), 13.3 (C-28); HRMS (ESI) m/z: 625.2633 (calcd for
C30H50NaO8S2 [M – Na]- 625.2845).
4.7. Preparation of disodium 3β,16β,30-trihydroxy-lup-20(29)-ene 3,16-
disulfate (9). 31.0 mg (0.12 mmol) of EuCl3 in dry MeOH (1 mL) were added to a
solution of compound 7 (80.0 mg, 0.12 mmol) in dry MeOH (3 mL). Then, the mixture
was added slowly to a solution of NaBH4 (4.5 mg, 0.12 mmol) in MeOH (1 mL). The
reaction mixture was stirred and heated under reflux until disappearance of the starting
material by TLC (24 h). Then, the reaction mixture was filtered, evaporated under
reduced pressure and purified by column flash chromatography with CH2Cl2/MeOH
(7.5:2.5) to give 40.9 mg (51%) of compound 9 as a white amorphous solid, mp 130-
131 °C; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CD3OD) δ 0.81 (3H, s, H-25), 0.84 (3H, s, H-28), 0.88
(3H, s, H-26), 1.02 (3H, s, H-23), 1.07 (3H, s, H-24), 1.08 (3H, s, H-27), 2.41 (1H, ddd,
J = 5.7, 10.0, 10.6 Hz, H-19), 3.91 (1H, dd, J = 3.8, 10.9 Hz, H-3), 4.34 (1H, t, J = 7.7
Hz, H-16), 4.95 (1H, br s, H-29b), 4.03, 4.06 (2H, dAB, J = 13.5 Hz, H-30a,b); 13C NMR
(75 MHz, CD3OD) δ 155.4 (C-20), 107.4 (C-29), 87.6 (C-3), 85.8 (C-16), 65.0 (C-30),
57.2 (C-5), 51.3 (C-9), 45.2 (C-14), 44.7 (C-13), 42.3 (C-8), 39.9 (C-1), 39.6 (C-4), 38.8
(C-19, C-15), 38.1 (C-10), 35.6 (C-7), 35.5 (C-22), 32.6 (C-21), 28.7 (C-23), 27.4 (C-
12), 25.4 (C-2), 22.1 (C-11), 19.4 (C-6), 16.7 (C-25, C-26), 16.6 (C-27), 16.3 (C-24),
12.7 (C-28). HRMS (ESI) m/z: 639.2689 (calcd for C30H48NaO9S2 [M – Na]- 639.2637)
4.8. Preparation of disodium 3β,16β-dihydroxy-20S,29-epoxylupane
disulfate (11).
MCPBA (21.4 mg, 0.12 mmol) and 6 mL of 10% Na2CO3 were added to a solution of 2
(40.0 mg, 0.06 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (3 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred vigorously at
room temperature for 12 h, and then the aqueous layer was extracted with n-BuOH (3 x
13

15 mL). The combined organic extracts were washed successively with 5% Na2SO3
solution, saturated NaHCO3 solution and water, dried over anhydrous MgSO4 and
evaporated to dryness. The reaction product was purified by preparative- RP TLC with
MeOH/H2O (6.5:3.5) to give 4.0 mg (10%) of compound 11 as an amorphous white
solid, mp 134-135 °C; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CD3OD) δ 0.78 (3H, s, H-25), 0.80 (3H, s,
H-28), 0.88 (3H, s, H-26), 1.01 (3H, s, H-23), 1.04 (3H, s, H-24), 1.06 (3H, s, H-27),
1.23 (3H, s, H-30), 2.64 (2H, br s, H-29) 3.90 (1H, dd, J = 4.2, 11.4 Hz, H-3), 4.29 (1H,
t, J = 8.0 Hz, H-16); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CD3OD) δ 87.5 (C-3), 85.6 (C-16), 61.5 (C-
20), 58.0 (C-29), 57.2 (C-5), 51.1 (C-9), 50.4 (C-18), 49.4 (C-17), 47.3 (C-19), 45.2 (C-
14), 42.3 (C-8), 39.8 (C-1), 39.6 (C-4), 38.7 (C-15), 38.1 (C-10), 38.0 (C-13), 35.5 (C-
7), 35.4 (C-22), 28.7 (C-23), 27.7 (C-21), 27.0 (C-12), 25.4 (C-2), 22.1 (C-11), 19.4 (C-
6), 18.5 (C-30), 16.7 (C-25), 16.7 (C-26), 16.5 (C-27), 16.2 (C-24), 12.9 (C-28). HRMS
(ESI) m/z: 639.2695 (calcd for C30H48NaO9S2 [M – Na]- 639.2637).
4.9. General procedures for the preparation of the acetylated compounds
12-16.
To a solution of 1, 3 or 4 in pyridine were added a catalytic amount of DMAP and
Ac2O. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 h until
disappearance of the starting material. Then, water was added, and the mixture was
extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 x 30 mL). The combined organic extracts were washed with a
saturated solution of NaHCO3, dried over MgSO4, filtered, and concentrated. The
residue was purified by flash chromatography with CH2Cl2 as eluent to afford the
desired acetate.
4.9.1. Lup-20(29)-ene-3β,16β-diol diacetate (12).
Following the general procedure, a solution of 1 (20.0 mg, 0.05 mmol) in pyridine (1
mL) was treated with Ac2O (1.2 mL, 12.7 mmol) to give after purification 12.1 mg
(51%) of compound 12 as white amorphous solid, mp 105-107 °C. 1H and 13C NMR
spectra of 12 are included in the Supplementary data.
14

4.9.2. 3β-Acetoxy-16β-hydroxy-lup-20(29)-ene (13) and 3β-hydroxy-16β-
acetoxy-lup-20(29)-ene (14).
Following the general procedure, a solution of 1 (50.0 mg, 0.11 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (2
mL) and pyridine (0.5 mL) was treated with Ac2O (11µL, 0.11 mmol) to give after
purification 13.7 mg (25%) of compound 13 and 13.7 mg (25%) of compound 14 as
white amorphous solids. Compound 13: mp 110-111°C; 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ
0.79 (3H, s, H-28), 0.83 (3H, s, H-26), 0.84 (3H, s, H-23), 0.85 (3H, s, H-24), 0.98 (3H,
s, H-25), 1.03 (3H, s, H-27), 1.68 (3H, s, H-30), 2.04 (3H, s, OCOCH3), 2.49 (1H, ddd,
J = 6.0, 11.0, 11.0 Hz, H-19), 3.61 (1H, dd, J = 4.3, 9.8 Hz, H-16), 4.46 (1H, dd, J =
5.4, 10.9 Hz, H-3), 4.59 (1H, br s, H-29a), 4.70 (1H, br s, H-29b); 13C NMR (100 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 171.2 (OCOCH3), 150.1 (C-20), 110.0 (C-29), 81.1 (C-3), 77.2 (C-16), 55.6
(C-5), 50.1 (C-9), 48.8 (C-17), 47.9 (C-19), 47.8 (C-18), 44.2 (C-14), 41.1 (C-8), 38.6
(C-1), 38.0 (C-4), 37.9 (C-22), 37.4 (C-13), 37.2 (C-10), 37.0 (C-15), 34.3 (C-7), 30.0
(C-21), 28.1 (C-23), 24.9 (C-12), 23.8 (C-2), 21.5 (OCOCH3), 21.0 (C-11), 19.5 (C-30),
18.3 (C-6), 16.6 (C-24), 16.3 (C-26), 16.3 (C-25), 16.1 (C-27), 11.8 (C-28); EIMS m/z:
484 [M]+ (36), 466 (6), 424(57), 216 (44), 207 (50), 189 (82), 203 (41); HR-EIMS m/z:
484.3940 (calcd for C32H52O3 [M]+ 484.3916). Compound 14: mp 110-112°C 1H NMR
(600 MHz, CDCl3) δ 0.75 (3H, s, H-24), 0.82 (3H, s, H-26), 0.84 (3H, s, H-28), 0.96
(3H, s, H-23), 1.03 (3H, s, H-25), 1.04 (3H, s, H-27), 1.67 (3H, s, H-30), 2.02 (3H, s,
OCOCH3), 2.48 (1H, ddd, J = 6.0, 10.4, 11.3 Hz, H-19), 3.17 – 3.19 (1H, m, H-3), 4.59
(1H, br s, H-29a), 4.70 (1H, br s, H-29b), 4.87 (1H, dd, J = 4.6, 11.3 Hz, H-16); 13C
NMR (150 MHz, CDCl3) δ 170.9 (OCOCH3), 150.0 (C-20), 110.1 (C-29), 79.2 (C-16),
79.0 (C-3), 55.4 (C-5), 50.0 (C-9), 47.9 (C-18), 47.6 (C-19), 47.5 (C-17), 44.3 (C-14),
41.1 (C-8), 39.0 (C-4), 38.8 (C-1), 37.8 (C-22), 37.5 (C-13), 37.2 (C-10), 34.4 (C-7),
33.6 (C-15), 29.8 (C-21), 28.1 (C-23), 27.5 (C-2), 24.8 (C-12), 21.5 (OCOCH3), 20.9
(C-11), 19.4 (C-30), 18.4 (C-6), 16.2 (C-26), 16.1 (C-24), 16.1 (C-25), 15.5 (C-27), 12.9
(C-28); EIMS m/z: 484 [M]+ (28), 466 (26), 424(16), 216 (26), 207 (6), 203 (42), 189
(90); HR-EIMS m/z: 484.3924 (calcd for C32H52O3 [M]+ 484.3916).
4.9.3. 3β,16β-Diacetoxy-lup-20(29)-en-30-al (15).
Following the general procedure, a solution of 3 (20.0 mg, 0.04 mmol) in pyridine (1
mL) was treated with Ac2O (1.2 mL, 12.7 mmol) to give after purification 16.6 mg
15

(70%) of compound 15 as a white amorphous solid, mp 109-110°C; 1H NMR (600
MHz, CDCl3) δ 0.82 (3H, s, H-24), 0.83 (6H, s, H-23, H-26), 0.87 (3H, s, H-28), 1.02
(6H, s, H-25, H-27), 2.02 (3H, s, OCOCH3), 2.04 (3H, s, OCOCH3), 4.45 (1H, dd, J =
4.6, 11.0 Hz, H-3), 4.92 (1H, dd, J = 4.7, 11.3 Hz, H-16), 5.95 (1H, br s, H-29a), 6.30
(1H, br s, H-29b), 9.51 (1H, s, H-30); 13C NMR (150 MHz, CDCl3) δ 195.0 (C-30),
171.2 (OCOCH3 (C-3)), 170.9 (OCOCH3 (C-16)), 156.3 (C-20), 132.5 (C-29), 81.0 (C-
3), 78.9 (C-16), 55.4 (C-5), 49.8 (C-9, C-18), 47.7 (C-17), 44.0 (C-14), 41.0 (C-8), 38.5
(C-1), 37.9 (C-4), 37.8 (C-22), 37.1 (C-10, C-13, C-19), 34.3 (C-7), 33.5 (C-15), 29.8
(C-21), 28.0 (C-23), 23.8 (C-2, C-12), 21.5 (OCOCH3), 21.5 (OCOCH3), 21.0 (C-11),
18.2 (C-6), 16.6 (C-24), 16.3 (C-26), 16.1 (C-25), 15.9 (C-27), 12.8 (C-28). HR-EIMS
m/z: 540.3807 (calcd for C34H52O5 [M]+ 540.3815).
4.9.4. Lup-20(29)-ene-3β,16β,30-triol triacetate (16).
Following the general procedure, a solution of 4 (20.0 mg, 0.04 mmol) in pyridine (1
mL) was treated with Ac2O (1.2 mL 12.7 mmol) to give after purification 18.4 mg
(72%) of compound 16 as a white amorphous solid, mp 107-108 °C; 1H NMR (600
MHz, CDCl3) δ 0.83 (3H, s, H-26), 0.84 (6H, s, H-23, H-28), 0.85 (3H, s, H-24), 1.04
(6H, s, H-25, H-27), 2.02 (3H, s, OCOCH3), 2.04 (3H, s, OCOCH3), 2.10 (3H, s,
OCOCH3), 4.46 (1H, dd, J = 5.2, 11.5 Hz, H-3), 4.57, 4.55 (2H, dAB, J = 14.0 Hz, H-
30a,b), 4.87 (1H, dd, J = 4.7, 11.2 Hz, H-16), 4.95 (1H, br s, H-29a), 4.97 (1H, br s, H-
29b); 13C NMR (150 MHz, CDCl3) δ 171.2 (OCOCH3 (C-3)), 170.9 (OCOCH3 (C-16)),
170.8 (OCOCH3 (C-30)), 148.5 (C-20), 110.9 (C-29), 81.0 (C-3), 79.0 (C-16), 68.3 (C-
30), 55.4 (C-5), 49.9 (C-9), 48.6 (C-18), 47.4 (C-17), 44.2 (C-14), 41.1 (C-8), 38.8 (C-
13), 38.5 (C-1), 37.9 (C-4), 37.6 (C-22), 37.4 (C-10), 37.1 (C-19), 34.3 (C-7), 33.6 (C-
15), 29.8 (C-21), 28.1 (C-23), 23.9 (C-12), 23.8 (C-2), 21.5 (OCOCH3), 21.5
(OCOCH3), 21.2 (OCOCH3 (C30)), 21.1 (C-11), 18.2 (C-6), 16.6 (C-24), 16.3 (C-26),
16.2 (C-25), 16.1 (C-27), 12.7 (C-28); EIMS m/z: 542 [M - C2H2O]+ (4), 524 (54), 464 (30),
189 (82); HR-EIMS m/z: 542.3990 (calcd for C34H54O5 [M - C2H2O]+ 542.3971).
4.10. General procedure for the preparation of the acylated compounds 17-
20.
16

To a solution of 1 in dry CH2Cl2 (5 mL) were added the corresponding acid chloride,
Et3N and a catalytic amount of DMAP. The reaction mixture was stirred under N2
atmosphere at the appropriate temperature. The progress of the reaction was monitored
by TLC. The reaction was quenched with saturated aqueous NaHCO3 solution (5 mL).
The mixture was extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 x 30 mL). The combined organic extracts
were washed with a saturated solution of NaHCO3, dried over MgSO4, filtered, and
concentrated. The crude was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with
hexane/AcOEt (9:1) to afford the desired ester.
4.10.1. Lup-20(29)-ene-3β,16β-diol di-4-pentenoate (17).
Following the general procedure, to a solution of 1 (60.0 mg, 0.14 mmol) in CH2Cl2
were added Et3N (75 µL, 0.54 mmol) and 4-pentenoyl chloride (35 µL, 0.54 mmol).
The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 h to give after purification
9.9 mg (12%) of compound 17 as a white amorphous solid, mp 240-241 °C; 1H NMR
(300 MHz, CDCl3) δ 0.84 (6 H, s, H-23, H-26), 0.85 (3H, s, H-28), 0.86 (3H, s, H-24),
1.04 (6H, s, H-25, H-27), 1.68 (3H, s, H-30), 2.38 (4H, d, J = 6.7 Hz, H-3’, H-3”), 2.39
(4H, d, J = 5.7 Hz, H-2’, H-2”), 2.50 (1H, m, H-19), 4.48 (1H, dd, J = 5.1, 10.3 Hz, H-
3), 4.60 (1H, br s, H-29a), 4.71 (1H, br s, H-29b), 4.88 (1H, dd, J= 4.9, 11.4 Hz, H-16),
4.98 (1H, br s, H-5’a), 5.02 (2H, br s, H-5’b, H-5”a), 5.08 (1H, br s, H-5”b), 5.82 (2H,
m, H-4’, H-4”); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ 173.0 (C-1’(C-3)), 172.7 (C-1”(C-16)),
150.0 (C-20), 137.0 (C-4’, C-4”), 115.5 (C-5’, C-5”), 110.1 (C-29), 81.0 (C-3), 79.2 (C-
16), 55.5 (C-5), 50.0 (C-9), 48.0 (C-18), 47.7 (C-19), 47.5 (C-17), 44.4 (C-14), 41.2 (C-
8), 38.5 (C-1), 38.0 (C-4), 37.8 (C-22), 37.5 (C-13), 37.2 (C-10), 34.4 (C-7), 34.2 (C-2’,
C-2”), 33.7 (C-15), 29.9 (C-21), 29.2 (C-3’, C-3”), 28.1 (C-23), 24.8 (C-12), 23.9 (C-2),
21.0 (C-11), 19.4 (C-30), 18.3 (C-6), 16.7 (C-24), 16.3 (C-26), 16.2 (C-25), 16.1 (C-27),
13.0 (C-28). EIMS m/z: 606 [M]+ (0.1), 506 (67), 406(51), 363 (48), 216 (89), 203
(100), 189 (84). HR-EIMS m/z: 606.4668 (calcd for C40H62O4 [M]+ 606.4648).
4.10.2. Lup-20(29)-ene-3β,16β-diol dibenzoate (18).
Following the general procedure described above, to a solution of 1 (50.0 mg, 0.11
mmol) in CH2Cl2 were added Et3N (62 µL, 0.45 mmol) and an excess of
benzoylchloride (50 µL, 0.43 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at room
17

temperature for 3 h to give after purification 30.1 mg (41%) of compound 18 as a white
1
amorphous solid, mp 219-220°C; H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ 0.92 (3H, s, H-26),
0.93 (3H, s, H-23), 1.00 (3H, s, H-24), 1.01 (3H, s, H-28), 1.09 (3H, s, H-25), 1.14 (3H,
s, H-27), 1.72 (3H, s, H-30), 2.54 (1H, ddd, J = 5.3, 10.9, 11.0 Hz, H-19), 4.63 (1H, br
s, H-29a), 4.72 (1H, dd, J = 4.9, 9.9 Hz, H-3), 4.74 (1H, br s, H-29b), 5.13 (1H, dd, J =
4.9, 11.3 Hz, H-16), 7.41 - 7.46 (4H, m, H-3’, H-3”, H-5’, H-5” ), 7.52 – 7.57 (2H, m, ,
H-4’, H-4”), 8.02 – 8.05 (4H, m, H-2’, H-2”, H-6’, H-6”); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ
166.4 (ArCO (C-3)), 166.2 (ArCO (C-16)), 149.9 (C-20), 132.8 (d), 131.2 (C-1’, C-1”),
129.7 (C-2’, C-2”, C-6’, C-6”), 128.4 (C-3’, C-3”, C-5’, C-5”), 110.2 (C-29), 81.7 (C-
3), 80.0 (C-16), 55.6 (C-5), 50.0 (C-9), 48.1 (C-18), 47.8 (C-17), 47.7 (C-19), 44.5 (C-
14), 41.2 (C-8), 38.6 (C-1), 38.3 (C-4), 37.9 (C-22), 37.6 (C-13), 37.3 (C-10), 34.4 (C-
7), 33.7 (C-15), 29.9 (C-21), 28.2 (C-23), 24.8 (C-12), 23.9 (C-2), 21.1 (C-11), 19.4 (C-
30), 18.3 (C-6), 16.9 (C-24), 16.3 (C-26), 16.2 (C-25), 16.1 (C-27), 13.2 (C-28). HR-
EIMS m/z: 650.4365 (calcd for C44H58O4 [M]+ 650.4335).
4.10.3. Lup-20(29)-ene-3β,16β-diol di-p-bromobenzoate (19).
Following the general procedure, to a solution of 1 (50.0 mg, 0.11 mmol) in CH2Cl2
were added Et3N (93 µL, 0.68 mmol) and p-bromobenzoyl chloride (50 µL, 0.34
mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at 0°C for 48 h to give after purification 38.5
mg (42%) of compound 19 as a white amorphous solid, mp 109.0-109.5°C; 1H NMR
(400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 0.92 (6H, s, H-23, H-26), 0.99 (6H, s, H-24, H-28), 1.10 (3H, s, H-
25), 1.13 (3H, s, H-27), 1.71 (3H, s, H-30), 2.54 (1H, ddd, J = 4.9, 10.6, 10.8 Hz, H-19),
4.63 (1H, br s, H-29a), 4.72 (1H, dd, J = 5.4, 10.6, H-3), 4.74 (1H, br s, H-29b), 5.12
(1H, dd, J = 4.6, 11.3 Hz, H-16), 7.30 - 7.34 (2H, m, p-BrBz), 7.67 (2H, d, J = 7.7 Hz,
p-BrBz)), 7.96 (2H, dd, J = 7.6 Hz, p-BrBz)), 8.16 (2H, d, J = 13.6 Hz, p-BrBz); 13C
NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 165.1 (ArCO (C-3)), 164.9 (ArCO (C-16)), 149.9 (C-20),
135.8, 133.1, 133.0, 132.6, 130.1, 128.3 (p-BrBz), 110.3 (C-29), 82.2 (C-3), 80.6 (C-
16), 55.5 (C-5), 50.0 (C-9), 48.0 (C-18), 47.7 (C-17), 47.6 (C-19), 44.5 (C-14), 41.2 (C-
8), 38.5 (C-1), 38.3 (C-4), 37.9 (C-22), 37.5 (C-10), 37.2 (C-13), 34.3 (C-7), 33.6 (C-
15), 29.8 (C-21), 28.2 (C-23), 24.7 (C-12), 23.8 (C-2), 21.0 (C-11), 19.4 (C-30), 18.3
(C-6), 16.9 (C-24), 16.3 (C-26), 16.2 (C-25), 16.1 (C-27), 13.2 (C-28); EIMS m/z: 606
[M-(O-p-Br-Bz]+ (72), 604 (69), 591 (13), 589 (14), 405 (18), 390 (13), 189 (77), 187 (49), 184
(100), 182 (99). HR-EIMS m/z: 806.2475 (calcd for C44H56Br2O4 [M]+ 806.2545).
18

4.10.4. Lup-20(29)-ene-3β,16β-diol dihemiadipate (20).
Following the general procedure, to a solution of 1 (30.0 mg, 0.07 mmol) in CH2Cl2
were added Et3N (62 µL, 0.41 mmol) and adipoyl chloride (25 µL, 0.15 mmol). The
reaction mixture was stirred under reflux for 24 h. Hydrolysis of the intermediate acyl
chloride took place during the work-up in the aqueous media, to give after purification
33.6 mg (71%) of compound 20 as a white amorphous solid, mp 97-98 °C; 1H NMR
(300 MHz, CD3OD) δ 0.90 (3H, s, H-24), 0.91 (3H, s, H-23), 0.93 (3H, s, H-28), 0.94
(3H, s, H-26), 1.12 (6H, s, H-25, H-27), 1.66 – 1.69 (8H, m, hemiadip.), 1.74 (3H, s, H-
30), 2.31 – 2.37 (8H, m, hemiadip.), 2.57 (1H, ddd, J = 6.2, 10.3, 11.1 Hz, H-19), 4.49
(1H, dd, J = 5.5, 10.3 Hz, H-3), 4.64 (1H, br s, H-29a), 4.76 (1H, br s, H-29b); 13C
NMR (75 MHz, CD3OD) δ 177.3 (COOH x 2), 175.0 (C-1’(C-3)), 174.9 (C-1”(C-16)),
151.0 (C-20), 110.7 (C-29), 82.3 (C-3), 80.6 (C-16), 56.7 (C-5), 51.3 (C-9), 49.1 (C-18),
48.9 (C-19), 48.5 (C-17), 45.4 (C-14), 42.2 (C-8), 39.5 (C-1), 38.9 (C-4), 38.8 (C-13, C-
22), 38.2 (C-10), 35.3 (C-15), 35.2 (C-5’, C-5”), 34.6 (C-7), 34.6 (C-2’, C-2”), 30.8 (C-
21), 28.5 (C-23), 26.0 (C-12), 25.7 (C-3’, C-3”), 25.6 (C-4’) 25.5 (C-4”), 24.7 (C-2),
22.0 (C-11), 19.5 (C-30), 19.2 (C-6), 17.0 (C-24), 16.7 (C-26), 16.6 (C-25), 16.3 (C-27),
13.2 (C-28). HR-EIMS m/z: 589.4897 (calcd for C41H61O6 [M-CO2H]+ 589.4985).
4.11. General procedure for the preparation of compounds 21 and 22.
To a solution of 1 or 3 in acetone (3 mL) was added dropwise the Jones reagent at 0°C,
until the solution changed from colorless to orange. The reaction was stirred for 30 min
and quenched with i-PrOH (2 mL), filtered through Florisil and washed several times
with AcOEt. The solvent was removed and the residue was purified by flash
chromatography on silica gel with hexane/AcOEt (9:1) to afford the desired ketone.
4.11.1. Lup-20(29)-en-3,16-dione (21).
Following the general procedure, a solution of 1 (50.0 mg, 0.11 mmol) in acetone was
treated with Jones reagent to yield after purification 20.8 mg (42%) of compound 21,
mp 137-138°C; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 0.90 (3H, s, H-27), 0.93 (3H, s, H-25),
1.01 (3H, s, H-24), 1.06 (3H, s, H-23), 1.09 (3H, s, H-28), 1.14 (3H, s, H-26), 1.65 (3H,
19

s, H-30), 2.61 (1H, ddd, J= 6.3, 10.8, 10.9 Hz, H-19), 2.71 (1H, d, J = 13.6 Hz, H-15a),
4.62 (1H, br s, H-29a), 4.73 (1H, br s, H-29b); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 217.8 (C-
3), 215.8 (C16), 148.8 (C-20), 110.8 (C-29), 56.7 (C-17), 54.8 (C-5), 49.4 (C-9), 49.4
(C-18), 48.1 (C-14), 47.4 (C-4, C-19), 44.9 (C-15), 41.0 (C-8), 39.6 (C-1), 37.7 (C-13),
36.9 (C-10), 34.1 (C-2), 33.6 (C-7), 31.2 (C-22), 28.6 (C-21), 26.8 (C-23), 24.8 (C-12),
21.3 (C-11), 21.1 (C-24), 19.7 (C-6), 19.0 (C-30), 18.1 (C-28), 16.3 (C-26), 16.0 (C-25),
15.4 (C-27); EIMS m/z: 438 [M]+ (74), 395 (18), 247 (72), 229 (42), 205 (30); HR-
EIMS m/z: 438.3484 (calcd for C30H46O2 [M]+ 438.3498).
4.11.2. 3,16-Dioxo-lup-20(29)-en-30-al (22).
Following the general procedure, a solution of 3 (50.0 mg, 0.11 mmol) in acetone as
treated with Jones reagent to yield after purification 12.9 mg (26%) of compound 22,
mp 143.0-143.5°C; 1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3) δ 0.89 (3H, s, H-27), 0.93 (3H, s, H-
25), 1.02 (3H, s, H-24), 1.07 (3H, s, H-28), 1.13 (6H, s, H-23, H-26), 2.48 (1H, ddd, J =
8.6, 15.7, 15.9 Hz, H-19), 2.74 (1H, d, J = 13.8 Hz, H-15a), 5.98 (1H, br s, H-29a), 6.29
(1H, br s, H-29b), 9.52 (1H, s, H-30); 13C NMR (150 MHz, CDCl3) δ 217.9 (C-3),
215.4 (C-16), 194.8 (C-30), 156.2 (C-20), 133.3 (C-29), 56.9 (C-17), 54.8 (C-5), 49.2
(C-9, C-18), 47.7 (C-14), 47.4 (C-4), 44.9 (C-15), 41.0 (C-8), 39.6 (C-1), 37.3 (C-13, C-
19), 36.9 (C-10), 34.2 (C-2), 33.6 (C-7, C-22), 31.3 (C-12, C-21), 26.8 (C-23), 21.2 (C-
11), 21.2 (C-24), 19.6 (C-6), 18.1 (C-28), 16.3 (C-26), 15.9 (C-25), 15.4 (C-27); EIMS
m/z: 452 [M]+ (100), 437 (20), 434 (31), 247 (15), 205 (17); HR-EIMS m/z: 452.3284
(calcd for C30H44O3 [M]+ 452.3290).
4.12 Biological activity
4.12.1 Inhibition assay on AChE and BChE in vitro
Electric eel (Torpedo californica) AChE and horse serum BChE were used as source of
both the cholinesterases. AChE and BChE inhibiting activities were measured in vitro
by the spectrophotometric method developed by Ellman with slight modification.22
The lyophilized enzyme, 500U AChE/300U BChE, was prepared in buffer A (8 mM
K2HPO4, 2.3 mM NaH2PO4) to obtain 5/3 U/mL stock solution. Further enzyme dilution
was carried out with buffer B (8 mM K2HPO4, 2.3 mM NaH2PO4, 0.15 M NaCl, 0.05%
20

Tween 20, pH 7.6) to produce 0.126/0.06 U/mL enzyme solution. Samples were
dissolved in buffer B with 2.5% of MeOH as cosolvent, except for compounds 2 and 7-
11 that were dissolved in buffer B without cosolvent. Enzyme solution (300 µL) and
sample solution (300 µL) were mixed in a test tube and incubated for 60/120 min at
room temperature. The reaction was started by adding 600 µL of the substrate solution
(0.5 mM DTNB, 0.6 mM ATCI/BTCI, 0.1 M Na2HPO4, pH 7.5). The absorbance was
read at 405 nm for 180 s at 27ºC. Enzyme activity was calculated by comparing reaction
rates for the sample to the blank. All the reactions were performed in triplicate. IC50
values were determined with GraphPad Prism 5. Eserine (99%) and tacrine (99 %) were
used as reference AChE/BChE inhibitors.
4.12.2 Kinetic characterization of AChE inhibition
The enzyme reaction was carried out at three fixed inhibitor (compound 10)
concentrations (0, 49 and 125 µM). In each case the initial velocity measurements were
obtained at varying substrate (S) (acetylthiocholine) concentrations and the reciprocal of
the initial velocity (1/v) was plotted as a function of the reciprocal of [S]. The double-
reciprocal (Lineweaver–Burk) plot showed a pattern of parallels lines with the same
slopes, characteristic of an uncompetitive inhibitor. The data of the enzyme activity at
different fixed substrate concentrations with increasing inhibitor concentrations were
analyzed with GraphPad Prism 5. The nonlinear regression of these data fitted with
uncompetitive inhibition with a R2= 0.9859. The calculated Ki was 144.4 µM.
4.12.3 Molecular docking determinations
Torpedo californica AChE crystal structure was chosen to perform the docking studies
given that this was the enzyme used in the in vitro assays. Structure of Protein Data
Bank (PDB) entry 2ACE -complexed with acetylcholine- was used for the docking
simulations of compound 10.29 Geometry optimization was performed with
semiempirical calculations (AM1) and the Hartree-Fock method and the 6-31+G (d)
basis set incorporated in the Gaussian 03 program.30-32 The charges of the ligand were
obtained using the standard RESP procedure.33
Docking studies were performed with version 4.2.5.1 of the program AutoDock, using
the implemented empirical free energy function.34 The graphical user interface program
21

AutoDock Tools was used to prepare, run and analyze the docking simulations. The
simulation space was defined as a 26.25 Å x 24 Å x 34.5 Å box which included the
active site and the peripheral site. Atomic interaction energy on a 0.375 Å grid was
calculated with the auxiliary program Autogrid 4 using probes corresponding to each
map type found in the inhibitor. All rotatable dihedrals in 10 were allowed to rotate
freely. The starting position of the inhibitor was outside the grid on a random position.
The triterpenoid was docked by the Lamarckian genetic algorithm protocol. A total of
256 independent simulations with a population size of 150 members were run for 10
using AutoDock 4.2.5.1 with default parameters (random starting position and
conformation, translation step of 2.0 Å, mutation rate of 0.02, crossover rate of 0.8,
local search rate 0.06 and 2500000 energy evaluations). After docking, the 256
conformers generated for the inhibitor were assigned to clusters based on a tolerance of
2.0 Å all atom root-mean-square deviation (rmsd) in position from the lowest-energy
solution. The clusters were also ranked according to the energies of their representative
conformations, which were the lowest-energy solutions within each cluster.
Acknowledgments
This work was financially supported by the National Research Council of Argentina
(CONICET), Universidad Nacional del Sur (Argentina), Spanish MINECO (SAF 2012-
37344-C03-C01), EU Research Potential (FP7-REGPOT-2012-61367-IMBRAIN),
ANPCYT (Argentina) and Scientific Research Commission (CIC, Argentina). M.J.C.
and V.R. are grateful to CONICET for their doctoral fellowships. M.J.C. thanks ULL
financial support for a short stay. M.B.F. is a Research Member of CIC. A.P.M. and
M.S.M. are Research Members of CONICET.
Supplementary data
Supplementary data associated with this article can be found, in the online version,
at……..
22

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25

Figure 1. Structure of calenduladiol (1)
Figure 2. Lineweaver-Burk plots of the inhibition of AChE by compound 10 with
acetylthiocholine (S) as substrate. Linear regression equations: y = 539.81x + 1.0878
(R2= 0.9975); y = 539.92x + 3.1565 (R2= 0.9913); y = 539.89x + 5.6472 (R2= 0.9951)
for 0, 49 and 125 µM, respectively
Figure 3. Docking results for compound 10: A. Cluster nº 1 (left). B. Cluster nº3 (right).
Blue: basic residues, red: acid residues, green: polar residues
Figure 4. Docking of compound 10 showing the interactions with AChE: A. Cluster nº
1(left). B. Cluster nº3(right).
Scheme 1. Preparation of compounds 2-11. Reagents and conditions: (a) 8 equiv.
Me3N.SO3, DMF, MW, 7 min, 150 °C; (b) Amberlite CG-120 (MeOH); (c) SeO2,
EtOH, reflux; (d) H2, Pd/C, EtOAc; (e) MCPBA, NaHCO3, DCM; (f) 12 equiv.
Me3N.SO3, DMF, MW, 9 min, 150 °C; (g) NaBH4, EuCl3, MeOH; (h) 4 equiv.
Me3N.SO3, DMF, MW, 7 min, 150 °C.
Scheme 2. Preparation of compounds 12-22. Reagents and conditions: (a) Ac2O, Py,
DMAP, DCM; (b) RCOCl or ArCOCl, Py, DMAP, DCM; (c) Jones reagent, acetone
26

29
20
19
30
E
D
OH
16
A
3
HO
1

35
30
25
20
15
10
5
[I]= 0 µM
[I]= 49 µM
[I]= 125 µM
0
-5
-0.02
-0.01
0
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
1/[S] (µM-1)