Biological activities of pyrrolidinoindoline alkaloids from Calycodendron milnei.

Abstract

Certain genera of the tribe Psychotrieae, specifically Calycodendron and Psychotria, found on Pacific Islands, synthesize a series of Nb-methyltryptamine-derived alkaloids made by linking together 2 to 8 pyrrolidinoindoline units. Nine alkaloids of this class have been isolated from the aerial parts and stem bark of Calycodendron milnei, a species endemic to the Vaté Islands (New Hebrides), and examined for potential application as anti-cancer and anti-infective agents. All members of the series exhibited readily detected cytotoxic activity against proliferating and non-proliferating Vero African green monkey kidney cells in culture, with the most potent activity being exhibited by vatamine and quadrigemine C. Only hodgkinsine A exhibited substantial antiviral activity against a DNA virus, herpes simplex type 1, and an RNA virus, vesicular stomatitis virus. All members of the series showed readily detected anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-candidal activities using both tube dilution and disc diffusion assay methods. The most potent anti-microbial alkaloids were hodgkinsine A and quadrigemine C, which exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values as low as 5 micrograms/ml.

• Authors: H E Saad, S H el-Sharkawy, W T Shier
• Journal: Planta medica (Planta Med) Vol. 61 Issue 4 Pg. 313-6 (Aug 1995) ISSN: 0032-0943 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 7480176 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Alkaloids
• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Anti-Infective Agents
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Antiviral Agents
• Indoles
• Pyrrolidines

Topics

• Alkaloids (chemistry, isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Animals
• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Anti-Infective Agents (chemistry, isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Antineoplastic Agents (chemistry, isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Antiviral Agents (chemistry, isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Bacteria (drug effects)
• Cell Division (drug effects)
• Cell Survival (drug effects)
• Chlorocebus aethiops
• Fungi (drug effects)
• Herpesvirus 1, Human (drug effects)
• Indoles (chemistry, isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Microbial Sensitivity Tests
• Molecular Structure
• Plants, Medicinal
• Pyrrolidines (chemistry, isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Structure-Activity Relationship
• Vero Cells
• Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus (drug effects)