One new indole alkaloid, reflexin A (1), and two known indoles, macusine B (2) and vinorine (3), were isolated from the bark of Rauvolfia reflexa. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR, UV, IR, and MS spectroscopic analyses. Compound 1 displayed anticancer activity against HCT-116 colon cancer cells with an IC50 value of 30.24 ± 0.75 µM. The results implied that the newly isolated 1 induced apoptosis in HCT-116 cells, suggesting its possible role as an anticancer agent. In vivo acute toxicity study was performed on compound 1 to evaluate its safety profile.
Keywords: HCT-116 cells; Rauvolfia reflexa; acute toxicity; apoptosis; indole alkaloids; reflexin A.