Ajuforrestin A, an Abietane Diterpenoid from Ajuga ovalifolia var. calanthe, Induces A549 Cell Apoptosis by Targeting SHP2

The Src-homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase 2 (SHP2), which is encoded by PTPN11, participates in many cellular signaling pathways and is closely related to various tumorigenesis. Inhibition of the abnormal activity of SHP2 by small molecules is an important part of cancer treatment. Here, three abietane diterpenoids, named compounds 1–3, were isolated from Ajuga ovalifolia var. calantha. Spectroscopic analysis was used to identify the exact structure of the compounds. The enzymatic kinetic experiment and the cellular thermal shift assay showed compound 2 selectively inhibited SHP2 activity in vitro. Molecular docking indicated compound 2 targeted the SHP2 catalytic domain. The predicted pharmacokinetic properties by SwissADME revealed that compound 2 passed the majority of the parameters of common drug discovery rules. Compound 2 restrained A549 proliferation (IC50 = 8.68 ± 0.96 μM), invasion and caused A549 cell apoptosis by inhibiting the SHP2–ERK/AKT signaling pathway. Finally, compound 2 (Ajuforrestin A) is a potent and efficacious SHP2 inhibitor and may be a promising compound for human lung epithelial cancer treatment.