CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF Cattleya nobilior Rchb. F. (Orchidaceae): TARGETING ON PHENANTHRENE AND STILBENOID DERIVATIVES

Orchidaceae family is a valuable source of bioactive compounds, particularly phenanthrenes and stilbenoids, which exhibit promising pharmacological properties. Cattleya nobilior Rchb. F. remains chemically and biologically unexplored, yet its potential bioactivity warrants investigation. This study aimed to identify phenanthrenes and stilbenoids from C. nobilior and evaluate their anti-Trypanosoma cruzi and cytotoxic activities. Extracts from leaves, pseudobulbs, roots, and rhizomes were obtained using sequential solvent extraction by accelerated solvent extraction. Their biological effects were assessed against T. cruzi epimastigotes and cancer cell lines (Kasumi-1, CCRF-CEM, HCT-116, and MCF-7). Metabolomic profiling (liquid chromatography-diode array detection-mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-MS)) and multivariate analyses correlated chemical composition with bioactivity. Rhizome extracts (CnRz-DM5, CnRz-DM50) inhibited HCT-116 cells (> 80%), while CnBb-DM5, CnRz-DM5, and CnRo-DM5 inhibited > 90% of leukemic cells. CnRo-DM5 also exhibited moderate anti-T. cruzi activity (half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 33.3 µg mL–1). Metabolomic analysis suggested 67 phenanthrenes and stilbenoids associated with cytotoxicity. Guided by these findings, the most active extract was fractionated, leading to the isolation of gigantol and batatasin III. This study provides the first chemical and biological insights into C. nobilior, reinforcing its potential as a source of bioactive phenanthrenes and stilbenoids with anticancer and antiparasitic properties.