A new strategy for the semisynthesis of the aromatic
cassane-type
diterpene taepeenin F (6) is reported. The introduction
of the methyl group at C-14, characteristic of the target compound,
was achieved via dienone 13, easily prepared from abietic
acid (10), the major compound in renewable rosin. Biological
assays of selected compounds are reported. The antiproliferative activity
against HT29, B16-F10, and HepG2 tumor cell lines has been investigated.
Salicylaldehyde 21 was the most active compound (IC50 = 7.72 μM). Products 16 and 21 displayed apoptotic effects in B16-F10 cells, with total apoptosis
rates of 46 and 38.4%, respectively. This apoptotic process involves
a significant arrest of the B16-F10 cell cycle, blocking the G0/G1
phase. Dienone 16 did not cause any loss of the mitochondrial
membrane potential (MMP), while salicylaldehyde 21 caused
a partial loss of the MMP. The anti-inflammatory activity of the selected
compounds was investigated with the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.
All compounds showed potent NO inhibition, with percentages between
80 and 99% at subcytotoxic concentrations. Dienone 16 inhibited LPS-induced differentiation of RAW 264.7 cells, by increasing
the proportion of cells in the S phase. In addition, salicylaldehyde 21 had effects on the cell cycle, recovering the cells from
the G0/G1 full arrest produced in response to LPS action.