Synthesis, anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic activity evaluations of asiatic acid amino acid derivatives

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/molecules20047309

Fifteen semi-synthetic derivatives of asiatic acid (AA) have been synthesized and evaluated for their biological activities. The successful modification of these compounds at the C-2, C-3, C-23 and C-28 positions was confirmed using NMR, MS and IR spectra. Further, their anti-tumor effects were evaluated in vitro using different cancer cell lines (HeLa, HepG2, B16F10, SGC7901, A549, MCF7 and PC3), while their anti-angiogenic activities were evaluated in vivo using a larval zebrafish model. Among the derivatives, compounds 4-10 showed more potent cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic effects than AA, while compounds 11-17 had significantly less effects. The new derivative 10 was also included in finished formulations to evaluate its stability using HPLC due to its potential topical use. The derivative 10 had markedly better anti-tumor activities than both AA and other derivatives, with similar stability as its parent compound AA.

Full text of DOI:10.3390/molecules20047309

Molecules 2015, 20, 7309-7324; doi:10.3390/molecules20047309
OPEN ACCESS
molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules
Article
Synthesis, Anti-Tumor and Anti-Angiogenic Activity
Evaluations of Asiatic Acid Amino Acid Derivatives
Yue Jing, Gang Wang, Ying Ge, Minjie Xu and Zhunan Gong *
Center for New Drug Research and Development, College of Life Science,
Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; E-Mails: jingyueshadow@126.com (Y.J.);
jiyehanyan@126.com (G.W.); emilygy0131@126.com (Y.G.); xmj1011@163.com (M.X.)
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: gongzhunan@njnu.edu.cn;
Tel./Fax: +86-25-85891736.
Academic Editor: Derek J. McPhee
Received: 6 March 2015 / Accepted: 17 April 2015 / Published: 21 April 2015
Abstract: Fifteen semi-synthetic derivatives of asiatic acid (AA) have been synthesized and
evaluated for their biological activities. The successful modification of these compounds at
the C-2, C-3, C-23 and C-28 positions was confirmed using NMR, MS and IR spectra.
Further, their anti-tumor effects were evaluated in vitro using different cancer cell lines
(HeLa, HepG2, B16F10, SGC7901, A549, MCF7 and PC3), while their anti-angiogenic
activities were evaluated in vivo using a larval zebrafish model. Among the derivatives,
compounds 4–10 showed more potent cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic effects than AA, while
compounds 11–17 had significantly less effects. The new derivative 10 was also included in
finished formulations to evaluate its stability using HPLC due to its potential topical use.
The derivative 10 had markedly better anti-tumor activities than both AA and other
derivatives, with similar stability as its parent compound AA.
Keywords: asiatic acid; amino acid derivatives; anti-tumor activity; anti-angiogenic effect;
stability; HPLC analysis
1. Introduction
Asiatic acid (AA, 2α,3β,23-trihydroxyurs-12-ene-28-oic acid, Figure 1), one of the active pentacyclic
triterpenoids found in Centalla asiatica, can be easily prepared from hydrolysis of asiaticoside. Besides

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its traditional usage to treat skin defects [1], AA also has other biological effects including anti-tumor [2–6],
anti-inflammation [7], hepatoprotective [8], anti-depression, and anti-Alzheimer’s disease [9,10]
activities, like other triterpenes.
However, the efficacy of the original AA is relatively poor. Many attempts have been made to
improve this. For example, 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin has been used as an adjuvant for enhancing
the encapsulation and releasing characteristics of asiaticoside [11]. Poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) nanoparticles
loaded with asiatic acid (AA) have also been successfully produced using the rapid expansion of a
subcritical solution into an aqueous receiving solution containing a dispersing agent [12]. Moreover,
many researchers have synthesized various AA derivatives by adding new groups to AA [13–15].
Increasing the solubility of a compound usually can improve its bioavailability. For example,
conjugation of an amino acid to oleanolic acid has been to shown to improve its water solubility as well
as its anti-melanoma activity [16]. It is reported that a hydrogen donor group at either the C-3 position
and/or C-28 positions of ursolic acid is essential for its cytotoxic activity [10]. To this end, a series of
AA derivatives were synthesized by substituting seven different amio acids at positions of C-28. Their
cytotoxic activities were then evaluated in vitro using seven cancer cell lines (HeLa, HepG2, B16F10,
SGC7901, A549, MCF7 and PC3). We then sought to evaluate the anti-angiogenic activity of the
derivatives using Tg(fli1:EGFP) zebrafish. Results showed that acetylation of the C-2, C-3, and C-23
hydroxy groups in conjunction with a substituted amino acid ester group at C-28 (compounds 4–10),
resulted in derivatives not only having stronger cell growth inhibitory activity, but also exhibiting more
powerful anti-angiogenic effects than AA.
Figure 1. Structures of asiatic acid (1) and its derivatives 2–17 tested in the present study.

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2. Results and Discussion
2.1. Chemistry
As shown in Scheme 1. AA (1) was used as the starting material, and a series of amino acid derivatives
were synthesized. Full acetylation of 1 afforded 2α,3β,23-O-triacetylasiatic acid (2) in good yield.
Treatment of 2 with COCl2 afforded the corresponding acyl chloride 3, which was used for the following
reactions without further purification. Reaction of 3 with concentrated Et3N solution and amino acid
methyl ester hydrochlorides furnished amides 4–10, which were hydrolyzed with aqueous NaOH to give
asiatic amides 11–17 (Scheme 1).
Scheme 1. Synthesis of amino acid derivatives of asiatic acid.
2.2. Antitumor Activity of the Compounds
Seven different kinds of cancer cell lines (HeLa, HepG2, B16F10, SGC7901, A549, MCF7 and PC3)
were chosen to determine the cytotoxic activity of AA and its derivatives. The antiproliferative effects
of the compounds were dertermined using Cell Counting Kit-8, in which WST-8(2-(2-methoxy-4-
nitrophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium mono- sodium salt) was used
as a substrate.
2.2.1. IC50 Values of the Compounds.
As shown in Table 1, compounds 4–10 with ester functions were found to have lower IC50 values
than those of compounds 11–17, and also showed stronger anti-tumor activities than their parent
compound AA. These results suggest that: (1) compounds with acetylated hydroxy groups at the C-2,

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C-3 and C-23 positions only showed less activities than AA; (2) compounds with only conjugated amino
acids at C-28 also showed less activity than AA; (3) compounds with both acetylated hydroxy groups at
C-2, C-3 and C-23 positions, and an amino acid ester group at C-28, had stronger activities than AA.
Meanwhile, these activities varied based on alkyl side chains on the C-28 amide chain.
Table 1. Inhibitory effects of AA and derivatives on proliferation of A549, B16F10, Hela,
HepG2, SGC7901, MCF7 and PC3 cells.
IC50 (µM)
Compound
A549
18.8 ± 2.3 20.4 ± 2.9 55.1 ± 2.1 4.0 ± 1.4 36.8 ± 2.1 32.8 ± 0.4 53.6 ± 2.0
21.1 ± 4.5 >50.0 24.2 ± 1.6 10.2 ± 0.3 nt nt 17.5 ± 0.3
5.7 ± 1.4 2.9 ± 0.5 9.2 ± 0.4 0.3 ± 0.1 14.2 ± 1.3 12.1 ± 1.0 10.9 ± 0.5
7.4 ± 0.8 5.8 ± 0.3 11.0 ± 1.6 1.8 ± 0.5 4.5 ± 0.2 5.6 ± 0.3 >10.0
3.1 ± 0.5 4.4 ± 0.4 5.1 ± 0.3 0.3 ± 0.1 9.2 ± 0.7 3.9 ± 0.7 10.1 ± 1.3
2.0 ± 0.2 17.1 ± 0.9 4.2 ± 0.2 1.7 ± 0.2 4.7 ± 0.6 >50.0 >10.0
33.9 ± 6.3 3.8 ± 0.3 32.3 ± 1.4 1.4 ± 0.1 nt 17.0 ± 0.3 10.2 ± 1.3
2.4 ± 0.2 11.3 ± 0.7 3.7 ± 0.1 4.1 ± 0.3 9.6 ± 1.0 12.8 ± 0.9 >10.0
0.9 ± 0.3 4.6 ± 0.1 4.5 ± 0.1 9.2 ± 2.0
B16F10
Hela
HepG2 SGC7901
MCF7
PC3
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
2.4 ± 0.4 4.2 ± 0.2
4.8± 0.3
nt
nt
nt
nt
14.0 ± 1.1
18.7 ± 1.6
nt
nt
nt
nt
nt
nt
nt
nt
>50.0
>50.0
nt
30.2 ± 4.0
21.8 ± 1.7
25.4 ± 3.6
nt
>50.0
>50.0
>50.0
nt
>50.0
19.2 ± 3.9 20.5 ± 0.2
17.1 ± 0.7
13.8 ± 1.6
nt
nt
nt
nt
nt
nt
nt
nt
16.5 ± 1.6
>50.0
nt
25.0 ± 4.6 24.2 ± 0.6
nt nt
nt
nt
21.3 ± 5.1
nt
nt = not tested.
2.2.2. Cell Viability Suppression Activity of the Compounds
To compare the anti-tumor effect of the derivatives with their parent compound AA, tumor cells
were exposed to different compounds at 10 μM for 72 h. We found that compounds 4–10 showed a
stronger cytotoxic effect on cell viability than AA, while compounds 11–17 showed a much smaller
cytotoxic effect. Notably, AA-PMe (10) presented the strongest anti-tumor acitivity among all the
compounds to most cancer cell lines (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Cont.

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Figure 2. Cell viability suppression effect of AA derivatives on the A549, B16F10, HeLa,
HepG2, SGC7901, MCF7, and PC3 cells. Cells were treated with 10 μM compounds for 72 h
and the cell viability was measured. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001.
2.3. Anti-Angiogenic Activity of the Compounds in Zebrafish
The anti-angiogenic effect of AA and its derivatives was evaluated in Tg(fli1:eGFP) zebrafish by
examining their effect on vessel formation in embryos. As shown in Figure 3A, the intersegmental blood
vessels (ISVs) were the most easily observed angiogenic vessels in the embryos at 48 hpf.
Figure 3. Cont.

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Figure 3. The anti-angiogenic activity of AA derivatives in zebrafish. Tg(fli1:eGFP)
zebrafish embryos at 24 hpf were immersed in culture media containg 0.1% DMSO
(control), 150 nM VRI (positive control) or 10 μM compounds. (A) Live fluorescence
microscopy highlights EGFP expressing intersegmental blood vessels (ISVs) and the
subintestinal vessel plexus (SIVs), and the later which appears as a smooth basket-like
structure with 5–6 arcades. Scale bar, 50 μm. (B,C) Quantification of the ISV length and
number of SIV branch points in 72 hpf zebrafish embryos in the vehicle control group and
compounds treated groups. (D) Evaluation of the anti-angiogenic activity of the 16
compounds using EAP assay. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01.
Compounds 4–10 showed an obvious inhibition on ISV formation at 10 μM, but no obvious effect
was observed for compounds 11–17 at the same concentration. At 72 hpf, the subintestinal vessel plexus
(SIVs) developed as a smooth basket-like structure with approximately 5–6 arcades in the vehicle control
group. The numbers of SIV branch points in compounds 4–10 were much fewer than those in 11–17
treated groups. Among these compounds, compound 10 exhibited the strongest inhibition on vessel
formation (Figure 3A–D). Compounds 5 and 10 were found to lead to pericardial edema (Figure 3A),
which might because circulation was hampered by reduction in vessel formation [17].
2.4. Stability of the Compounds
The stability of AA and AA-PMe (10) was studied next. AA and AA-PMe (10) were kept in different
media of DMEM and RPMI 1640 for several days and measured. Under all conditions, AA and

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AA-PMe (10) were soluble and stable without significant differences between different media,
temperatures and time (Figure 4). We also found that both AA and AA-PMe (10) were stable at 37 °C
and −20 °C. These results provided a theoretical basis for cell biology studies.
Figure 4. Stability of AA and AA-PMe (10) under different conditions.
3. Experimental Section
3.1. General
All reagents were obtained from Aladdin (Shanghai, China) and used without further purification.
Thin-layer chromatography was shown with silica gel 60 GF254 (200–300 mesh). Infrared (IR) spectra
were recorded by a Cary5000 instrument (Varian, Palo Alto, CA, USA). Nuclear magnetic resonance
(1H-NMR) spectra were measured by an Avance 400 spectrometer (Bruker, Ettlingen, Germany) with
DMSO-d6 or CDCl3 as solvents and tetramethylsilane (TMS) as an internal standard. Chemical shifts (δ)
were recorded in ppm, and coupling constant (J) in Hz. Mass spectra were recorded by a 1290/6460
LC-MS spectrometer (Agilent, Santa Clara, CA, USA). Melting points were determined using an RY-1
digital melting point apparatus (Baytree Packaging Machinery and Material Co., Limited, Shanghai,
China). Asiatic acid was purchased from Guangxi Changzhou Natural Products Development Co., Ltd.
(Nanning, China).
3.2. Synthesis and Characterization Data
Figure 1 shows the chemical structures of the AA derivatives, which were synthesized by
modification of AA (1) at the C-2, C-3, C-23 and C-28 positions.
3.2.1. Asiatic Acid (1)
White solid; M.p. 230–231°; IR (KBr): 3382, 2919, 1689, 1047; 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 11.94 (brs,
1H, COOH), 5.14 (t, J = 3.3 Hz, 1H, H-12), 3.34–3.27 (m, 1H, H-2), 3.18 (d, J = 9.2 Hz, 1H, H-23),
3.04 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H, H-23), 2.11 (d, J = 11.2 Hz, 1H, H-18), 1.05 (s, 3H), 0.93 (d, J = 5.6 Hz, 6H),
0.82 (d, J = 6.3 Hz, 3H), 0.74 (s, 3H), 0.54 (s, 3H); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 178.75, 138.72, 125.00, 76.01
(C-3), 67.89 (C-2), 64.39 (C-23), 52.83, 47.42, 47.38, 47.26, 46.45, 42.94, 42.19, 39.56, 38.96, 38.90,

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37.75, 36.78, 32.63, 30.66, 27.96, 24.27, 23.79, 23.44, 21.56, 17.90, 17.51, 17.43, 17.36, 14.23;
ESI-MS: 489.7 ([M+H]+).
3.2.2. 2α,3β,23-Triacetoxyurs-12-en-28-oic Acid (2)
Asiatic acid (1, 3 g, 6 mmol) was dissolved in pyridine (30 mL) and stirred for 0.5 h, then Ac2O
(6.125 g, 60 mmol) was slowly added into the solution followed by about 1 h stirring and cooling. DMAP
(0.03 g) was added to the mixture which was then stirred for 3 h at room temperature (RT). After slowly
dropped and quickly stirred into ice to end the reaction, the mixture was extracted with CH2Cl2, and then
acidified with aq. HCl. The org. layer was washed with sat. NaHCO3, and brine in sequence, dried
(Na2SO4), and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by CC (petroleum
ether(PE)/EtOAc 3:1) to give 2 (3.3 g, 92.8%). White solid; M.p. 93–95°; IR (KBr): 3380, 2920, 1740,
1230; 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 11.97 (s, 1H, COOH), 5.13 (t, J = 3.6 Hz, 1H, H-12), 5.09–5.01 (m, 1H,
H-2), 4.94 (d, J = 10.3 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.81 (d, J = 11.7 Hz, 1H, H-23), 3.50 (d, J = 11.8 Hz, 1H, H-23),
2.12 (d, J = 11.2 Hz, 1H, H-18), 2.01 (s, 3H), 1.98 (s, 3H), 1.92 (s, 3H), 1.05 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 6H), 0.92
(s, 3H), 0.82 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 6H), 0.76 (s, 3H); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 178.69, 170.35 (COO), 170.17
(COO), 170.10 (COO), 138.71, 124.64, 74.72 (C-3), 69.50 (C-2), 65.36 (C-23), 52.83, 47.54, 47.31,
47.27, 43.68, 42.12, 41.98, 38.94, 38.91, 37.75, 36.73, 32.56, 30.66, 27.92, 24.23, 23.50, 23.36, 21.53,
21.15, 20.97, 20.94, 17.94, 17.39, 17.29, 17.03, 14.00; ESI-MS: 637.2 ([M+Na]+).
3.2.3. N-(2α,3β,23-Acetoxyurs-12-en-28-oyl)acyl Chloride (3)
A mixture of 2 dissolved in CH2Cl2 and COCl2 was refluxed for 24 h at RT and the excess reagent
was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was extracted with cyclohexane three times (50 mL
each time) to give acyl chloride 3.
3.2.4. N-(2α,3β,23-Acetoxyurs-12-en-28-oyl)-L-phenylalanine Methyl Ester (4)
L-Phenylalanine methyl ester hydrochloride (6 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (200 mL) was added to 3, and then
Et3N was added (3 mL). The mixture was then stirred for 4 h at RT, washed with water, dried (Na2SO4),
and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by CC (petroleum
ether(PE)/EtOAc 3:1) to give 4 (2.7 g, 62%). White solid; M.p. 120–123°; IR (KBr): 3401, 2923, 1739,
1228; 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.35 (d, J = 6.2 Hz, 1H, N-H), 5.25 (t, J = 3.3 Hz, 1H, H-12), 5.19–5.10 (m,
1H, H-2), 5.07 (d, J = 10.3 Hz, 1H, H-3), 4.76–4.65 (m, 1H, H-2’), 3.84 (d, J = 11.8 Hz, 1H, H-23), 3.68
(s, 3H), 3.57 (d, J = 11.8 Hz, 1H, H-23), 2.08 (d, J = 10.9 Hz, 1H, H-18), 2.07 (s, 3H), 2.02 (s, 3H), 1.97
(s, 3H), 1.05 (d, J = 3.4 Hz, 6H), 0.94 (s, 3H), 0.87 (s, 3H), 0.83 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, 3H), 0.60 (s, 3H);
13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 177.29, 172.13 (CON), 170.81 (COO), 170.42 (COO), 170.35 (COO), 138.36,
136.21 (Ar-C), 129.35 (Ar-C), 128.44 (Ar-C), 127.00 (Ar-C), 125.86, 74.77 (C-3), 69.88 (C-2), 65.22
(C-23), 53.53, 53.45, 52.14, 47.66, 47.56, 47.43, 43.72, 42.19, 41.88, 39.55, 39.02, 38.09, 37.71, 37.19,
32.27, 30.81, 27.64, 25.27, 24.68, 23.34, 23.22, 21.17, 21.07, 20.87, 20.78, 17.80, 17.07, 17.03, 16.41,
13.90; ESI-MS: 798.3 ([M+Na]+).

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3.2.5. N-(2α,3β,23-Acetoxyurs-12-en-28-oyl)glycine Methyl Ester (5)
As described for the preparation of 4, treatment of 2 (5.8 mmol) with L-glycine methyl ester
hydrochloride (6 mmol) afforded 5 (3.4 g, 85%). Yield: 85%; White solid; M.p. 174–177°; IR (KBr):
2921, 2865, 1741, 1367, 1228; 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 7.68 (t, J = 5.6 Hz, 1H, N-H), 5.18 (t, J = 3.5 Hz,
1H, H-12), 5.09–5.01 (m, 1H, H-2), 4.94 (d, J = 10.3 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.79 (d, J = 17.0 Hz, 1H, H-2’) 3.64
(d, J = 11.6 Hz, 1H, H-23), 3.59 (s, 3H), 3.50 (d, J = 11.8 Hz, 1H, H-23), 2.16 (d, J = 10.9 Hz, 1H, H-18),
2.00 (s, 3H), 1.98 (s, 3H), 1.92 (s, 3H), 1.04 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 6H), 0.93 (s, 3H), 0.83 (d, J = 3.5 Hz, 6H),
13
0.67 (s, 3H); C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 177.14, 170.93 (CON), 170.35 (COO), 170.17 (COO), 170.11
(COO), 138.68, 124.73, 74.74 (C-3), 69.51 (C-2), 65.37 (C-23), 52.30, 51.92, 47.56, 47.35, 46.98, 43.70,
42.03, 41.98, 41.35, 39.52, 39.19, 38.91, 37.73, 37.16, 32.57, 30.87, 27.66, 23.98, 23.51, 23.37, 21.58,
21.15, 20.97, 20.94, 17.93, 17.52, 17.03, 16.97, 14.00; ESI-MS: 686.3 ([M+H]+); 708.3 ([M+Na]+).
3.2.6. N-(2α,3β,23-Acetoxyurs-12-en-28-oyl)-L-alanine Methyl Ester (6)
As described for the preparation of 4, treatment of 2 (5.8 mmol) with L-alanine methyl ester
hydrochloride (6 mmol) afforded 6 (2.4 g, 60%). Pale yellow solid. Pale yellow solid; M.p. 220–223°;
1
IR (KBr): 2927, 2867, 1729, 1367, 1226; H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.57 (d, J = 5.9 Hz, 1H, N-H), 5.38 (t,
J = 3.3 Hz, 1H, H-12), 5.20–5.10 (m, 1H, H-2), 5.07 (d, J = 10.3 Hz, 1H, H-3), 4.49–4.40 (m, 1H,
H-2')3.83 (d, J = 11.8 Hz, 1H, H-23), 3.72 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.56 (d, J = 11.8 Hz, 1H, H-23), 2.08 (d,
J = 12.1 Hz, 1H, H-18), 2.07 (s, 3H), 2.01 (s, 3H), 1.97 (s, 3H), 1.35 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.07 (s, 6H),
0.94 (s, 3H), 0.88–0.83 (m, 6H), 0.68 (s, 3H); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 177.16, 173.71 (CON), 170.79 (COO),
170.41 (COO), 170.33 (COO), 138.51, 125.88, 74.76 (C-3), 69.87 (C-2), 65.22 (C-23), 53.50, 52.37,
48.13, 47.57, 47.45, 43.73, 42.26, 41.88, 39.61, 39.59, 38.97, 37.73, 37.25, 32.36, 30.81, 27.73, 24.59,
23.41, 23.22, 21.18, 21.07, 20.86, 20.76, 18.73, 17.82, 17.11, 17.05, 16.51, 13.89, 0.99; ESI-MS: 700.3
([M+H]+); 722.3 ([M+Na]+).
3.2.7. N-(2α,3β,23-Acetoxyurs-12-en-28-oyl)-L-isoleucine Methyl Ester (7)
As described for the preparation of 4, treatment of 2 (5.8 mmol) with L-isoleucine methyl ester
hydrochloride (6 mmol) afforded 7 (2.5 g, 58%). White solid. M.p. 206–208°; IR (KBr): 2962, 2873,
1
1739, 1363, 1226; H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.41 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H, N-H), 5.37 (t, J = 3.2 Hz, 1H, H-12),
5.18–5.09 (m, 1H, H-2), 5.06 (d, J = 10.3 Hz, 1H, H-3), 4.50–4.45 (m, 1H, H-2'), 3.82 (d, J = 11.8 Hz,
1H, H-23), 3.68 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.56 (d, J = 11.8 Hz, 1H, H-23), 2.07 (d, J = 12.0 Hz, 1H, H-18), 2.06
(s, 3H), 2.00 (s, 3H), 1.96 (s, 3H), 1.07 (s, 6H), 0.94 (s, 3H), 0.92 (d, J = 7.4 Hz, 3H), 0.89–0.85 (m, 6H),
13
0.83 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 3H), 0.65 (s, 3H); C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 177.26, 172.38 (CON), 170.78 (COO),
170.41 (COO), 170.32 (COO), 138.42, 125.89, 74.75 (C-3), 69.87 (C-2), 65.21 (C-23), 56.15 (CN),
53.86, 51.87, 47.86, 47.58, 47.45, 43.72, 42.29, 41.87, 39.63, 39.60, 39.05, 38.42, 37.74, 37.59, 32.38,
30.82, 27.74, 25.52, 24.56, 23.39, 23.24, 21.14, 21.06, 20.86, 20.76, 17.82, 17.09, 17.03, 16.54, 15.14,
13.89, 11.53; ESI-MS: 742.4 ([M+H]+).

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3.2.8. N-(2α,3β,23-Acetoxyurs-12-en-28-oyl)-L-leucine Methyl Ester (8)
As described for the preparation of 4, treatment of 2 (5.8 mmol) with L-leucine methyl ester
hydrochloride (6 mmol) afforded 8 (2.7 g, 64%). White solid; M.p. 202–205°; IR (KBr): 2946, 2867,
1
1741, 1367, 1228; H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.31 (d, J = 7.1 Hz, 1H, N-H), 5.36 (t, J = 3.2 Hz, 1H, H-12),
5.18–5.09 (m, 1H, H-2), 5.06 (d, J = 10.3 Hz, 1H, H-3), 4.57–4.49 (m, 1H, H-2'), 3.82 (d, J = 11.8 Hz,
1H, H-23), 3.68 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.56 (d, J = 11.8 Hz, 1H, H-23), 2.07 (d, J = 12.3 Hz, 1H, H-18), 2.06
(s, 3H), 2.00 (s, 3H), 1.96 (s, 3H), 1.07 (d, J = 3.4 Hz, 6H), 0.94 (s, 3H), 0.91 (d, J = 5.2 Hz, 6H), 0.86
(d, J = 5.2 Hz, 6H), 0.68 (s, 3H); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 177.28, 173.55 (CON), 170.79 (COO), 170.41
(COO), 170.33 (COO), 138.45, 125.86, 74.76 (C-3), 69.87 (C-2), 65.22 (C-23), 53.67, 52.09, 50.74
(CN), 47.71, 47.59, 47.45, 43.73, 42.30, 41.87, 39.61, 39.58, 38.98, 37.74, 37.38, 32.40, 30.81, 27.71,
24.82, 24.63, 23.41, 23.20, 22.69, 22.41, 21.16, 21.06, 20.86, 20.76, 17.83, 17.10, 17.05, 16.62, 13.89;
ESI-MS: 742.4 ([M+H]+); 764.4 ([M+Na]+).
3.2.9. N-(2α,3β,23-Acetoxyurs-12-en-28-oyl)-L-valine Methyl Ester (9)
As described for the preparation of 4, treatment of 2 (5.8 mmol) with L-valine methyl ester
hydrochloride (6 mmol) afforded 9 (2.2 g, 54%). White solid. M.p. 205–208°; IR (KBr): 2937, 2871,
1
1735, 1367, 1228; H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.37 (d, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H, N-H), 5.37 (t, J = 3.3 Hz, 1H, H-12),
5.18–5.10 (m, 1H, H-2), 5.06 (d, J = 10.3 Hz, 1H, H-3), 4.46–4.39 (m, 1H, H-2'), 3.82 (d, J = 11.8 Hz,
1H, H-23), 3.69 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.56 (d, J = 11.8 Hz, 1H, H-23), 2.08 (d, J = 12.2 Hz, 1H, H-18), 2.07
(s, 3H), 2.01 (s, 3H), 1.97 (s, 3H), 1.07 (s, 6H), 0.95 (s, 3H), 0.92–0.86 (m, 12H), 0.66 (d, J = 6.8 Hz,
3H); 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 177.47, 172.46 (CON), 170.79 (COO), 170.41 (COO), 170.33 (COO), 138.39,
125.91, 74.75 (C-3), 69.88 (C-2), 65.22 (C-23), 57.08, 53.89, 51.91, 47.96, 47.58, 47.46, 43.72, 42.29,
41.87, 39.63, 39.60, 39.07, 37.75, 37.71, 32.39, 32.00, 30.83, 27.74, 24.54, 23.40, 23.26, 21.14, 21.07,
20.86, 20.76, 18.70, 18.30, 17.82, 17.10, 17.03, 16.57, 13.89; ESI-MS: 750.4 ([M+Na]+).
3.2.10. N-(2α,3β,23-Acetoxyurs-12-en-28-oyl)-L-proline Methyl Ester (10)
As described for the preparation of 4, treatment of 2 (5.8 mmol) with L-proline methyl ester
hydrochloride (6 mmol) afforded 10 (2.3 g, 62%).White solid. M.p. 180–181°; IR (KBr): 2921, 2865,
1
1743, 1367, 1228; H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 5.10–5.01 (m, 2H, H-12, H-2), 4.94 (d, J = 10.3 Hz, 1H,
H-3), 3.80 (d, J = 11.6 Hz,1H, H-23), 3.56 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.51 (d, J = 11.8 Hz, 1H, H-23), 2.31 (d,
J = 11.1 Hz, 1H, H-18), 2.01 (s, 3H), 1.98 (s, 3H), 1.92 (s, 3H), 1.04 (d, J = 6.3 Hz, 6H), 0.92 (s, 3H),
0.85–0.81 (m, 6H), 0.68 (s, 3H); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 174.46, 173.12 (CON), 170.37 (COO), 170.16
(COO), 170.10 (COO), 139.01, 124.45, 74.73 (C-3), 69.53 (C-2), 65.40 (C-23), 61.42, 51.83, 47.84,
47.63, 47.37, 43.67, 42.30, 41.97, 39.40, 38.85, 38.78, 37.79, 32.58, 31.79, 30.43, 27.79, 27.29, 25.90,
23.72, 23.34, 22.58, 21.54, 21.15, 20.99, 20.94, 17.86, 17.67, 17.04, 16.68, 14.01; ESI-MS: 726.3 ([M+H]+).
3.2.11. N-(2α,3β,23-Hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oyl)-L-phenylalanine (11)
To a soln. of 4 (1 g, 1.6 mmol) in MeOH (20 mL) and THF (30 mL), 4 M NaOH (15 mL) was added
dropwise, and the resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 2 h. The mixture was acidified with aq. HCl
(4 M) to pH 3, added into ice water, and filtered. The crude product was purified by CC (petroleum

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ether(PE)/EtOAc 3:1) to give 11 in 68% yield. White solid; M.p. 211–214°; IR (KBr): 3376, 2915, 1627,
1045; 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 12.70 (s, 1H, COOH), 7.17 (d, J = 4.2 Hz, 1H, N-H), 5.06 (t, J = 3.2 Hz,
1H, H-12), 4.28–4.19 (m, 1H, H-2'), 3.51–3.41 (m, 1H, H-2), 3.30 (d, J = 10.7 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.15 (d,
J = 9.4 Hz, 1H, H-23), 3.04 (d, J = 10.2 Hz, 1H, H-23), 1.98 (d, J = 10.9 Hz, 1H, H-18), 0.96 (s, 3H),
0.90 (s, 3H), 0.84 (s, 3H), 0.79 (d, J = 6.3 Hz, 3H), 0.53 (s, 3H), 0.23 (s, 3H); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ
176.64, 173.76 (CON), 138.55, 138.52 (Ar-C), 129.77 (Ar-C), 128.48 (Ar-C), 126.65 (Ar-C), 125.16,
76.03 (C-3), 67.88 (C-2), 64.41 (C-23), 55.36, 54.64, 52.60, 47.47, 47.43, 46.89, 46.43, 42.92, 42.03,
39.09, 38.92, 37.65, 36.80, 32.24, 30.82, 27.61, 23.97, 23.76, 23.38, 21.60, 17.68, 17.61, 17.33, 16.36,
14.24; ESI-MS: 636.3 ([M+H]+); 658.3 ([M+Na]+).
3.2.12. N-(2α,3β,23-Hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oyl)glycine (12)
As described for the preparation of 11, compound 12 was obtained in 86% yield (0.68 g). White solid;
M.p. 267–270°; IR (KBr): 3407, 2952, 1608, 1058; 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 12.40 (s, 1H, COOH), 7.45 (t,
J = 5.2 Hz, 1H, N-H), 5.21 (t, J = 3.4 Hz, 1H, H-12), 3.72 (d, J = 17.4 Hz, 1H, H-2'), 3.57 (d, J = 17.4 Hz,
1H, H-2'), 3.52–3.44 (m, 1H, H-2), 3.30 (d, J = 10.5 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.17 (d, J = 9.3 Hz, 1H, H-23), 3.04
(d, J = 10.4 Hz, 1H, H-23), 2.13 (d, J = 10.8 Hz, 1H, H-18), 1.04 (s, 3H), 0.91 (s, 6H), 0.84 (d, J = 6.3 Hz,
3H), 0.65 (s, 3H), 0.54 (s, 3H); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 177.01, 171.88 (CON), 138.71, 125.25, 76.03
(C-3), 67.90 (C-2), 64.40 (C-23), 52.45, 47.48, 47.40, 46.95, 46.46, 42.94, 42.10, 41.36, 39.56, 39.23,
38.94, 37.72, 37.20, 32.58, 30.86, 27.71, 24.12, 23.80, 23.45, 21.62, 17.86, 17.63, 17.34, 17.01, 14.22;
ESI-MS: 546.3 ([M+H]+); 568.3 ([M+Na]+).
3.2.13. N-(2α,3β,23-Hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oyl)-L-alanine (13)
As described for the preparation of 11, compound 13 was obtained in 78% yield. White solid; M.p.
1
227–231°; IR (KBr): 3382, 2921, 1629, 1047; H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ12.42 (s, 1H, COOH), 7.27 (d,
J = 6.7 Hz, 1H, N-H), 5.21 (t, J = 3.2 Hz, 1H, H-12), 4.20–4.07 (m, 1H, H-2'), 3.57 – 3.38 (m, 1H, H-2),
3.30 (d, J = 10.7 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.17 (d, J = 9.4 Hz, 1H, H-23), 3.03 (d, J = 10.4 Hz, 1H, H-23), 2.11 (d,
J = 10.8 Hz, 1H, H-18), 1.23 (d, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H), 1.04 (s, 3H), 0.91 (s, 6H), 0.84 (d, J = 6.3 Hz, 3H), 0.66
(s, 3H), 0.53 (s, 3H);13C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 176.26, 174.68 (CON), 138.52, 125.50, 76.02 (C-3), 67.90
(C-2), 64.39 (C-23), 52.69, 47.93, 47.48, 46.90, 46.46, 42.93, 42.16, 39.61, 39.17, 38.85, 37.71, 37.09,
32.69, 30.84, 27.75, 23.90, 23.77, 23.45, 21.59, 18.02, 17.85, 17.59, 17.36, 17.04, 14.23; ESI-MS: 560.4
([M+H]+); 582.3 ([M+Na]+).
3.2.14. N-(2α,3β,23-Hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oyl)-L-isoleucine (14)
As described for the preparation of 11, compound 14 was obtained in 66% yield. White solid; M.p.
1
210–213°; IR (KBr): 3382, 2919, 1629, 1047; H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 12.45 (s, 1H, COOH), 6.92 (d,
J = 7.3 Hz, 1H, N-H), 5.24 (t, J = 3.4 Hz, 1H, H-12), 4.16–3.96 (m, 1H, H-2'), 3.54 – 3.41 (m, 1H, H-2),
3.30 (d, J = 10.7 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.17 (d, J = 9.3 Hz, 1H, H-23), 3.03 (d, J = 10.5 Hz, 1H, H-23), 2.08 (d,
J = 10.6 Hz, 1H, H-18), 1.04 (s, 3H), 0.91 (d, J = 4.2 Hz, 6H), 0.84 (m, 6H), 0.81 (s, 3H), 0.79 (s, 3H),
0.63 (s, 3H), 0.53 (s, 3H). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 176.52, 173.42 (CON), 138.28, 125.81, 76.02 (C-3),
67.87 (C-2), 64.37 (C-23), 56.71 (CN), 52.95, 47.51, 47.44, 47.33, 46.43, 42.94, 42.23, 39.58, 38.83,

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37.69, 37.32, 37.15, 32.73, 30.88, 27.77, 25.52, 24.14, 23.73, 23.48, 21.54, 17.86, 17.54, 17.41, 17.32,
17.09, 15.75, 14.22, 11.69. ESI-MS: 602.3 ([M+H]+); 624.3 ([M+Na]+).
3.2.15. N-(2α,3β,23-Hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oyl)-L-leucine (15)
As described for the preparation of 11, compound 15 was obtained in 75% yield. White solid; M.p.
1
168–172°; IR (KBr): 3376, 2925, 1629, 1045; H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 12.33 (s, 1H, COOH), 7.23 (d,
J = 7.7 Hz, 1H, N-H), 5.18 (t, J = 3.6 Hz, 1H, H-12), 4.20–4.08 (m, 1H, H-2’), 3.54–3.44 (m, 1H, H-2),
3.30 (d, J = 10.4 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.17 (d, J = 9.4 Hz, 1H, H-23), 3.03 (d, J = 10.2 Hz, 1H, H-23), 2.16 (d,
J = 10.9 Hz, 1H, H-18), 1.04 (d, J = 4.1 Hz, 3H), 0.91 (s, 6H), 0.87 (d, J = 6.3 Hz, 3H), 0.83 (s, 3H),
13
0.82 (d, J = 13.0 Hz, 3H), 0.66 (s, 3H), 0.54 (s, 3H); C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 176.77, 174.79 (CON),
138.47, 125.27, 76.02 (C-3), 67.90 (C-2), 64.39 (C-23), 52.54, 50.74 (CN), 47.50, 47.46, 47.04, 46.45,
42.93, 42.25, 39.18, 38.89, 38.81, 37.72, 36.99, 32.90, 30.89, 27.74, 24.74, 23.85, 23.78, 23.69, 23.55,
23.46, 21.82, 21.61, 17.89, 17.60, 17.50, 17.39, 14.23; ESI-MS: 624.3 ([M+Na]+).
3.2.16. N-(2α,3β,23-Hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oyl)-L-valine (16)
As described for the preparation of 11, 16 was obtained in 80% yield. White solid; M.p. 212–216°;
IR (KBr): 3388, 2931, 1625, 1045; 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 12.65 (s, 1H, COOH), 6.89 (d, J = 7.3 Hz,
1H, N-H), 5.24 (s, 1H, H-12), 4.10–3.96 (m, 1H, H-2'), 3.55–3.42 (m, 1H, H-2), 3.30 (d, J = 9.6 Hz, 1H,
H-3), 3.17 (d, J = 9.1 Hz, 1H, H-23), 3.03 (d, J = 9.6 Hz, 1H, H-23), 2.10 (d, J = 10.4 Hz, 1H, H-18),
1.04 (s, 3H), 0.94–0.82 (m, 15H), 0.63 (s, 3H), 0.53 (s, 3H); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 176.80, 173.44
(CON), 138.37, 125.73, 76.00 (C-3), 67.90 (C-2), 64.37 (C-23), 57.74, 52.88, 47.50, 47.46, 47.39, 46.42,
42.93, 42.23, 39.59, 38.79, 37.69, 37.30, 32.73, 30.85, 27.76, 24.04, 23.75, 23.46, 21.54, 19.48, 19.10,
17.86, 17.53, 17.39, 17.13, 14.23; ESI-MS: 588.3 ([M+H]+).
3.2.17. N-(2α,3β,23-Hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oyl)-L-proline (17)
As described for the preparation of 11, compound 17 was obtained in 72% yield. White solid; M.p.
1
190–192°; IR (KBr): 3409, 2919, 1602, 1047; H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 12.09 (s, 1H, COOH), 5.05 (s,
1H, H-12), 4.21 (m, 2H, H-2’), 3.57–3.46 (m, 1H, H-2), 3.31 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.17 (d, J = 9.3 Hz,
1H, H-23), 3.03 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H, H-23), 2.32 (d, J = 11.0 Hz, 1H, H-18), 1.04 (s, 3H), 0.92 (s, 6H),
0.84 (d, J = 6.2 Hz, 3H), 0.66 (s, 3H), 0.54 (s, 3H);13C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 174.27, 174.17 (CON),
139.10, 124.74, 76.02 (C-3), 67.88 (C-2), 64.37 (C-23), 61.53, 55.37, 54.31, 47.83, 47.65, 47.50, 47.38,
46.55, 42.94, 42.41, 39.44, 38.88, 37.78, 33.28, 32.71, 30.44, 27.87, 27.44, 25.85, 23.99, 23.43, 22.62,
21.59, 17.83, 17.38,16.82, 14.23;ESI-MS: 586.3 ([M+H]+); 608.2 ([M+Na]+).
3.3. Cell Culure
HeLa, HepG2, B16F10, SGC7901, A549, MCF7 and PC3 cells were routinely maintained in
Dulbecco’s modified eagle medium (DMEM), and B16F10 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640,
supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (Life Technologies, Carlsbad, California, USA) at 37 °C in
humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2.

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3.4. Antitumor Activity Assays
Cell proliferation and cytotoxicity of AA derivatives were determined using a Cell Counting Kit-8,
in which WST-8(2-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2, 4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetra-zoli-
um monosodium salt) was used as a substrate. Briefly, 1~5 × 104 tumor cells were seeded in 96-well
plates (200 μL per well) and cultured for 24 h, and then AA derivatives were added at different
concentrations and incubated for 72 h. 10μL CCK-8 was added and the cells were incubated for another
1 h. The absorbance was measured at 450 nm with an ELISA reader (Thermo FC, Carlsbad, California,
USA. Three independent experiments were carried out. The IC50 represents the drug concentration
resulting in 50% growth inhibition.
3.5. Embryo Handling
Transgenic zebrafish Tg(fli1:eGFP) with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expressed in
endotheliad cells(ECs) and wild-type zebrafish (Tuebingen line) were obtained from Model Animal
Research Center of Nanjing University. Adult zebrafish were maintained at 28.5 °C and pH at 7 ± 0.2 in
14:10 h light/dark photoperiod, and fed with live brine shrimp once daily and dry food twice a day [18].
Embryos were produced by pairwise mating in fish hatch box. Embryos were maintained at 28.5 °C in
E3 embryos medium (containing antifungal solvent [0.01% methylene blue]) and salts [5 mM NaCl,
0.17 mM KCl, 0.33 mM CaCl2, 0.33 mM MgSO4]) [19]. Normally developed embryos were
dechorionated using forceps before drug treatment. All zebrafish studies were approved by the
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Nanjing University of Technology.
3.6. Assessment of Vessel Changes in Zebrafish Embryos by Fluorescent Microscopy
After drug treatment, zebrafish embryos were anesthetized with 0.016% tricaine (Sigma-Aldrich,
Milan, Italy). The intersegmental blood vessels (ISVs) and subintestinal vessel plexus (SIVs) of embryos
were observed and imaged at 48 and 72 hpf respectively under a fluorescence microscope (IX71,
Olympus, Tokyo, Japan).
3.7. Quantitation of Endogenous Alkaline Phosphatase EAP in Zebrafish Embryo
During zebrafish development, the stage between 24 and 72 hpf has the highest angiogenic activity
and the quantitative EAP assay was performed as described [20]. Tg(fli1:eGFP) transgenic zebrafish
embryos (24 hpf) were arrayed in 96-well plate, one embryo per well, and incubated with embryo water
(100 μL per well) containing AA and AA-PMe at a series of concentrations at 28.5 °C for continuously
48 h. In all experiments, 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was added as a carrier, and vehicle control
with 0.1% DMSO was performed. Drug-treated embryos at 72 hpf were treated with increasing
concentrations of ethanol for dehydration purpose.
Then the embryos were washed three times with diethanolamine buffer (Pierce, Rockford, Illinois,
USA). Next, the embryos were stained according to the protocol described in phosphatase substrate kit.
After staining, 50 μL 2 M NaOH was added to stop the reaction. The optical density of soluble end
product was measured at 405 nm using a microplate reader. Vessel growth was presented as percentage

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in optical density compared with control [% vessel formation = (OD treated days 3 − OD control day
1)/(OD control day 3 − OD control day 1) × 100%]. Each assay was repeated at least three times.
3.8. Stability Studies
For further cytobiology research, we evaluated the behaviour of AA and AA-PMe (10) by performing
a stability study in different media at different temperatures for different time.
3.8.1. Solution Preparation
The samples were prepared using AA and 10 in different media. AA and 10 were solubilized in
DMEM and RPMI 1640 medium and were divided into two temperature groups of 37 °C and −20 °C.
3.8.2. HPLC Methods
AA: The determination was carried out under isocratic conditions, using acetonitrile (47.5)/water
(52.5). Separation was monitored by absorbance detection at 215 nm. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min,
the injection volume was 20 μL and the separation process was performed at 35 °C.
AA-PMe (10): The determination was carried out under isocratic conditions, using acetonitrile
(75)/water (25). Separation was monitored by absorbance detection at 215 nm. The flow rate was
1.0 mL/min, the injection volume was 20 μL and all the separation process was performed at 35 °C.
3.9. Statistic Analysis
All experiments were performed at least three times. Results were expressed as mean ± S.D., and all
statistical comparisons were made by means of a one-way ANOVA test followed by Dunett’s t-test.
p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
4. Conclusions
In conclusion, 15 AA derivatives with modifications of the functional groups at C-2, C-3, C-23 and
C-28 were synthetized. Their antitumor activities were evaluated in vitro using seven cancer cell lines,
and their anti-angiogenc activities were evaluated using an in vivo larval zabrafish model. Results
showed that most of AA derivatives with amino acid ester substitutions at C-28 such as compounds
4–10 had stronger cytotoxicity than AA. Also compounds with acetylated OH groups at C-2, C-3 and
C-23, (compounds 4–10) also showed stronger antitumor activities than compounds 11–17. Evaluation
of anti-angiogenic activities showed that compounds 4–10 also exhibited higher inhibition of
angiogenesis than AA and other compounds in zebrafish. These results suggest that amino acid ester
group-substitution at C-28 and acetylation of the OH at C-2, C-3 and C-23 might be important to their
biological activities.
Acknowledgments
We thank analysis and testing center of Nanjing Normal University for NMR, LC-MS and
IR analysis.

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Author Contributions
Zhunan Gong is the teacher who proposed and provided financial support for this project.
The experiment part of this paper was done by Yue Jing and Gang Wang. In addition, the result analysis
and writing of the paper was finished by Yue Jing as well. Furthermore, both Ying Ge and Minjie Xu
participated in article revision and submission.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest
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Sample Availability: Samples of the compounds (AA and derivatives 2–17) are available from
the authors.
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