New Aporphine Alkaloids and Cytotoxic Constituents of Hernandia nymphaeifolia

Abstract

Two new aporphine alkaloids, (+)-N-hydroxy-hernangerine (1) and N-formyldehydroovigerine (2) as minor bases, along with four known aporphines, (+)-magnoflorine, (+)-hernovine, (+)-N-methylhernovine, and (+)-laurotetanine, two known isoquinolones, thalifoline and northalifoline, and one benzylisoquinoline, (+)-reticuline, have been additionally isolated from the trunk bark of Hernandia nymphaeifolia. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic evidence. Six of the isolated compounds show significant cytotoxic activities (ED₅₀ values <1 µg/ml) against P-388, KB16, A549, or HT-29 cell lines.

key words

Hernandia nymphaeifolia - Hernandiaceae - alkaloid - aporphine - N-hydroxyaporphine - N-hydroxyhernangerine - N-formyldehydroaporphine - N-formyldehydroovigerine - cytotoxic activity