Bioactive azafluorenone alkaloids from Polyalthia debilis (Pierre) Finet & Gagnep

Molecules. 2009 Nov 3;14(11):4414-24. doi: 10.3390/molecules14114414.

Abstract

This study investigated bioactive extracts of Polyalthia debilis (Annonaceae) with antimicrobial, antimalarial and cytotoxic activities. Extensive chromatographic isolations provided azafluorenone alkaloids; onychine (1) and 7-methoxyonychine (2) together with a mixture of beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol. The two alkaloids were isolated from the P. debilis for the first time. Isolated fractions containing a mixture of triterpenoids (C7, C8 and C9) exhibited the most potent antimicrobial activity against many bacterial strains with minimum inhibitory concentration of 64 microg/mL. Fractions with antimalarial and cytotoxic activities were also observed. The findings suggest the potential use of P. debilis in medicinal applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / adverse effects
  • Alkaloids / chemistry*
  • Alkaloids / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Infective Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Infective Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology
  • Antimalarials / adverse effects
  • Antimalarials / chemistry
  • Antimalarials / pharmacology
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Flavanones / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Molecular Structure
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / drug effects
  • Polyalthia / chemistry*
  • Pyridones / chemistry
  • Sitosterols / chemistry
  • Stigmasterol / chemistry
  • Triterpenes / chemistry

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Antimalarials
  • Flavanones
  • Plant Extracts
  • Pyridones
  • Sitosterols
  • Triterpenes
  • onychine
  • gamma-sitosterol
  • Stigmasterol