[Biotransformation of cycloartane-type triterpenoid from myrrh].

To study the biotransformation of cycloartan-24-ene-1alpha,2alpha, 3beta-triol isolated from myrrh and find new antitumor bioactive cycloartane-type derivatives. Fourteen microbial strains were cultured in potato medium at 27.8 degrees C for 7 days. The strain of Penicillium janthinellum was selected for preparative transform assay, and cultured in potato medium at 27.8 degrees C for 10 days. The medium was extracted by EtOAc, and then EtOAc layer was purified by the silica gel column chromatography. The product was structurally elucidated by MS and NMR spectra, and their anti-proliferative effects against human prostate cancer PC3 and DU145 cells were evaluated using MTT assay. The substrate was transformed to two new hydroxyl substituted triterpenoids, with a yield of 21.15%; The products displayed anti-proliferative effect against PC3 and DU145 cells with IC50 values of 14.5 micromol/L and 27.8 micromol/L, respectively. Cycloartane-type triterpenoid can be bio-transformed by Penicillium janthinellum, and leading to the isolation of two new hydroxyl substituted derivatives.