Cephalomannine (syn: Taxol B; CPM) is a diterpene alkaloid compound with antineoplastic properties. Cephalomannine is similar in structure to paclitaxel and can be used as a synthetic material for docetaxel and paclitaxel. Cephalomannine is a taxol analog of paclitaxel and differs only in the amide portion, with a tigloylamide substituent at the C3’ position
instead of benzamide.
| Mechanism of Action | Cephalomannine is thought to inhibit cell division by binding to polymeric tubulin and forming a stabilized microtubule. |
| Cancer Applications |
Cephalomannine was studied in permanent cell lines of Pleural Mesothelioma (PM), a rare form of cancer in the pleura (membrane) that lines the chest and lung walls. Researchers conducted an in vitro study to review the underlying mechanisms involving CPM at (0.1 uM) on REN (derived from PM) and MeT-5A, a mesothelial cell line often used as a non-malignant model of mesothelial cells. They found an increase in reactive oxygen species and a reduction in oxygen consumption rate in the REN cell, compared to MeT-5A. This confirms the effectiveness of CPM and suggests novel targets and pathways for investigation (Morani et al, 2025). |
| References |
Sadeghi-Aliabadi H and Yegdaneh A (2013) Taxol and related compounds. Natural Products (2013): 3159-171 Morani, F., Dell’Anno, I., Daga, A. et al. Cephalomannine as in vitro and in vivo anticancer agent in mesothelioma cells: mechanisms of action. BMC Cancer 25, 1625 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14902-6 |