P-glycoprotein is a multi-drug resister that lowers the cytotoxicity of current chemotherapeutic methods.  Welwitindolinone C exhibits multi-drug resisting reversing abilities by binding to P-glycoprotein resulting in an increased cellular chemosensitivity to cytotoxic drugs.  As a secondary effect, welwitindolinone C also disrupts microtubular formation in certain human carcinoma and muscular cells.

    Because of the biological effects and structural complexity of welwitindolinone C, our group has undergone extensive efforts to synthesize this molecule.   A rhodium-catalyzed, Montmorillonite K10 clay-mediated aryl C-H insertion reaction initially highlighted our novel approach to this complex problem.  Further steps include a rhodium-mediated O-H insertion, ring expansion followed by Claisen rearrangement, and electrocyclyzation to access the welwitindolinone C core.