Bioactive cinchona alkaloids from Remijia peruviana

J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Mar 23;53(6):1921-6. doi: 10.1021/jf048880e.

Abstract

Three known Cinchona alkaloids of the quinine type, quinine (1), cupreine (2), cinchonine (3), and the possible artifact cinchonine-HCl (3-HCl), along with two new ones, acetylcupreine (4) and N-ethylquinine (5), have been isolated from the bark of Remijia peruviana (Rubiaceae). Their stereochemical structures were established by high resolution NMR spectroscopy. Alkaloids 2-4 had antifeedant effects on Leptinotarsa decemlineata with varying potencies. Compound 4 was cytotoxic to both insect Sf9 and mammalian CHO cells after 48 h of incubation, while 3-HCl had stronger and selective cytotoxicity to Sf9. Quinine 1 had a moderate to low effect on Trypanosoma cruzi. Tumoral cells were also affected by these alkaloids, with 4 and 3-HCl being the most cytotoxic to all the cell lines tested. Overall, the 8R, 9S configurations, as in 3 and 3-HCl, as well as the C-6'acetylated alkaloid 4, with an 8S, 9R configuration, showed stronger biological effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • CHO Cells
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cinchona Alkaloids / analysis*
  • Cinchona Alkaloids / chemistry
  • Cinchona Alkaloids / pharmacology
  • Cricetinae
  • Humans
  • Insecticides
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Molecular Structure
  • Plant Bark / chemistry
  • Rubiaceae / chemistry*
  • Spodoptera
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / drug effects
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cinchona Alkaloids
  • Insecticides