Cytotoxicity of Triterpenoid Alkaloids from Buxus microphylla against Human Tumor Cell Lines

Abstract

Three new triterpenoid alkaloids, namely buxmicrophyllines P–R (1–3), were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Buxus microphylla. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR and MS spectroscopic analyses. Structurally, compounds 1–3 belong to the 9,10-cycloartane type alkaloids. In addition, compound 3 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities in vitro against HL-60, SMMC-7221, A-549, MCF-7, and SW480 cell lines (with IC50 values ranging from 4.51 to 15.58 μM).

Keywords

• Buxus microphylla
• triterpenoid alkaloid
• cytotoxicity