Suppressors of cancer cell proliferation from fig (Ficus carica) resin: Isolation and structure elucidation

A mixture of 6-O-acyl-beta -D-glucosyl-beta -sitosterols, the acyl moeity b eing primarily palmitoyl and linoleyl with minor amounts of stearyl and ole yl, has been isolated as a potent cytotoxic agent from fig (Ficus carica) l atex and soybeans. Identity was established by spectroscopic methods (NMR, MS) and confirmed by chemical synthesis. Both the natural and the synthetic compounds showed in vitro inhibitory effects on proliferation of various c ancer cell lines.