New Steroidal Alkaloids from Fritillaria imperialis and Their Cholinesterase Inhibiting Activities.

Abstract

Two new cevanine steroidal alkaloids, impericine (1) and forticine (2) along with known bases delavine (3), persicanidine A (4), and imperialine (5) were isolated from the bulbs of Fritillaria imperialis. The structures of impericine (1) [(20R,22S,25S)-5alpha-cevanin-23-ene-3beta,6beta,16beta-triol] and forticine (2) [(20S,22S,25S)-5alpha-cevanine-3beta,6beta-diol] were determined with the help of spectroscopic studies. These steroidal bases showed anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.