title: Production of cytotoxic canthin-6-one alkaloids by Ailanthus altissima plant cell cultures.
abstract: Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle was established as callus- and cell-suspension cultures. Canthin-6-one and 1-methoxycanthin-6-one were isolated by a combination of preparative tlc and preparative hplc. The two alkaloids were identified by their uv, ms, and 1H-nmr spectra. The combined yield of the two alkaloids was 1.38% of dry weight from callus and 1.27% of dry weight from cell suspensions. The cytotoxicities of canthin-6-one, 1-methoxycanthin-6-one, 5-methoxycanthin-6-one, and canthin-6-one-3-N-oxide to guinea pig ear keratinocytes have been compared, and the IC50 values range from 1.11 to 5.76 micrograms/ml. There is no significant difference in activity among these four cytotoxic alkaloids.
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004817:Epidermis; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D003603:Cytotoxins