Cephalotaxine-type alkaloids from the seeds of Cephalotaxus fortunei and their cytotoxic activities

• Published in: Phytochemistry (Oxford) 2021-11, Vol.191, p.112903-112903, Article 112903
• Main Authors: Zhu, Li, Gong, Li-Jie, Zhu, Dong-Rong, Zhu, Jiang-Min, Li, Yin, Kong, Ling-Yi, Luo, Jian-Guang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cephalotaxaceae; Cephalotaxine-type alkaloid; Cephalotaxus fortunei; Cytotoxicity; Homoerythrina-type alkaloid
• ISSN: 0031-9422; 1873-3700
• DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2021.112903

Six new Cephalotaxus alkaloids, including five cephalotaxine-type alkaloids, and one homoerythrina-type alkaloid, along with six known analogues, were isolated from the seeds of Cephalotaxus fortunei. Their structures were elucidated by combination of spectroscopic data analyses, time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) ECD calculation, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Cephalofortine B represents the first example of C-5 epi-cephalotaxine-type alkaloid. All isolated compounds were tested for cytotoxicities against HCT-116, A375, and SK-Mel-28 cell lines. Cephalofortine E showed moderate activity against HCT-116 cell line, with an IC50 value of 7.46 ± 0.77 μM. Six new Cephalotaxus alkaloids, along with six known analogues, were isolated from the seeds of Cephalotaxus fortunei. Cephalofortine B represents the first example of C-5 epi-cephalotaxine-type alkaloid. Cephalofortine E showed cytotoxicity against HCT-116 cell line. [Display omitted] •Six new Cephalotaxus alkaloids along with six known analogues were isolated from the seeds of Cephalotaxus fortunei.•Cephalofortine B represents the first example of Cephalotaxus alkaloids with a C-5 epi-cephalotaxine-type skeleton.•Cytotoxic activities of isolated compounds were assessed and the structure-activity relationship was discussed.