Canthin-6-one alkaloids from Picrasma quassioides and their cytotoxic activity

J Asian Nat Prod Res. 2008 Nov-Dec;10(11-12):1009-12. doi: 10.1080/10286020802277956.

Abstract

A new alkaloid, 4,5-dimethoxy-10-hydroxycanthin-6-one (1), was isolated from the stem of Picrasma quassioides Bennet (Simaroubaceae) together with four known canthin-6-one alkaloids, 8-hydroxycanthin-6-one (2), 4,5-dimethoxycanthin-6-one (3), 5-hydroxy-4-methoxycanthin-6-one (4), and 3-methylcanthin-5,6-dione (5). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. The cytotoxic activity of the canthin-6-one alkaloids was evaluated using human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (CNE2) and human liver cancer (Bel-7402) cell lines. Among these isolates, compounds 1-4 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against CNE2 cell line.

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / chemistry*
  • Alkaloids / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Carbolines
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Indole Alkaloids
  • Indoles / chemistry*
  • Naphthyridines / chemistry*
  • Picrasma / chemistry*
  • Plant Stems / chemistry

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Carbolines
  • Indole Alkaloids
  • Indoles
  • Naphthyridines
  • canthin-6-one