title: Furoquinoline alkaloids and cytotoxic constituents from the leaves of Melicope semecarpifolia.
abstract: Three new furoquinoline alkaloids, melicarpine, semecarpine, and (+/-)-8-methoxyplatydesmine, together with a known flavone, ayanin, were isolated from the leaves of Melicope semecarpifolia. The structures of the three alkaloids were determined through spectral analyses. Of the nineteen isolates obtained here and during earlier work, twelve exhibited cytotoxic activity against P-388, HT-29, or A549 cell lines in vitro. Among them, confusameline is the most cytotoxic isolate, and exhibited more potent cytotoxicity (ED 50 value = 0.03 microgram/mL) against the P-388 cell line than the reference compound mithramycin (ED 50 value = 0.06 microgram/mL).
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Tajen Institute of Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan, Republic of China. jjchen@ccsun.tajen.edu.tw
authors.forename: Jih-Jung
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chang-Yih
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Duh
authors.forename: Hung-Yi
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ih-Sheng
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves; D027821:Rutaceae; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts