Biologically Active Aspidofractinine, Rhazinilam, Akuammiline, and Vincorine Alkaloids from <i>Kopsia</i>

Abstract

Eleven new indole alkaloids, in addition to the previously reported rhazinal (1), and 14 other known alkaloids, were obtained from the Malayan Kopsia singapurensis, viz., kopsiloscines A-F (2-7), 16-epikopsinine (8), kopsilongine- N-oxide (9), 16-epiakuammiline (10), aspidophylline A (11), and vincophylline (12). The structures of these alkaloids were determined using NMR and MS analyses. Rhazinal (1), rhazinilam (17), and rhazinicine (18) showed appreciable cytotoxicity toward drug-sensitive as well as vincristine-resistant KB cells, while kopsiloscines A (2), B (3), and D (5) and aspidophylline A (11) were found to reverse drug-resistance in drug-resistant KB cells.