-Lupane Triterpene Derivatives Induce Ferroptosis through GPX4/ACSL4 Axis and Target Cyclin D1 to Block the Cell Cycle.

In this study, 70 new -lupane triterpene derivatives were designed, synthesized, and characterized, and their anticancer activities were evaluated. Structure-activity relationship studies showed that most compounds inhibited the growth of a variety of tumor cells . With the extension of alkyl chains, the activity of azole compounds gradually increased while that of indole compounds first increased and then decreased. Moreover, all indole derivatives showed stronger anticancer activity than azole derivatives. In addition, compound showed the strongest inhibitory effect on HepG2 cells with an IC value of 0.97 μM. Mechanistic studies showed that compound coregulates the cell death process by inducing ferroptosis and regulating the cell cycle. In conclusion, compound can be used as a ferroptosis inducer and cycle blocker to regulate the HepG2 death process, and it has the potential to become an effective new drug for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.