beta-peltatin

**beta-peltatin** is a natural cyclolignan compound (molecular formula C22H22O8, CAS number 518-29-6) isolated primarily from the rhizomes of Podophyllum peltatum (mayapple) and other plant sources. It is structurally related to podophyllotoxin and α-peltatin, sharing the characteristic polycyclic core with methoxy and hydroxy substitutions[1][2][4]. Beta-peltatin possesses notable antitumor and antiviral activity; it acts as a cytotoxic compound and is a known inhibitor of cell division. Its mechanism of action is believed similar to other podophyllotoxin derivatives: inhibition of microtubule assembly via binding to tubulin, leading to mitotic arrest, and possibly some inhibition of DNA topoisomerase II, though direct evidence for topoisomerase II binding is less than for some derivatives[3][5]. Beta-peltatin has been studied in vitro for cytotoxic, antitumor, and antiviral properties but has not been developed as a marketed pharmaceutical[3][5]. It serves as a chemically interesting compound for the synthesis and study of podophyllotoxin-related anticancer agents.

Other names

(5R,5aR,8aR)-10-hydroxy-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-5,8,8a,9-tetrahydrofuro[3',4':6,7]naphtho[2,3-d][1,3]dioxol-6(5aH)-one8-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-6,7-methylenedioxy-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-3-carboxylic acid lactoneβ-Peltatin A