A new anti-austerity agent, 4′-O-methylgrynullarin from Derris scandens induces PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cell death under nutrition starvation via inhibition of Akt/mTOR pathway

An ethanolic extract of Derris scandens flowers showed potent preferential cytotoxicity against PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells under nutrient-deprived condition, with a PC50 value of 0.7 μg/mL. Phytochemical investigation of this active extract led to the isolation of four prenylated isoflavones (1–4) including a new compound named 4′-O-methylgrynullarin (1). The structure elucidation of the new compound was achieved by HRFABMS and NMR...