A keystone of this work was a modification of synthesis of the title compounds, which were used as substrates for the preparation of amides 5, 9-methoxyolivacine (4a) and ethyl 9-methoxy-5-methyl-6H-pyrido[4,3-b]carbazole-1-carboxylate (4b) were obtained in good overall yields (4a--72%, and 4b--31%) on alternative ways of the synthesis. The pilot results of the cytostatic activity of iminium salts 12a (IC50 = 8 microM) and 12b (IC50 = 2 microM) were determined on L1210 mouse leukaemia cells.