8-O-Azeloyl-14-benzoylaconine: A new alkaloid from the roots of Aconitum karacolicum Rapcs and its antiproliferative activities

A new alkaloid of Aconitum karacolicum Rapcs, from the Ranunculaceae family, collected in Kirghizstan, was isolated from the roots of this plant, using a purification scheme based upon its in vitro antiproliferative properties against three human tumour cell lines in culture. Structural identification was performed using high resolution MS–MS mass spectrometry and 1H, 13C, 2D NOESY NMR spectroscopy analysis. This compound consists of a 14-benzoylaconine moiety substituted on C-8 by an azeloyl chain. It presents in vitro cytotoxicity with an IC50 of about 10–20 μM, which warrants further investigation on its possible interest in cancer chemotherapy.

An original aconitine derivative, isolated from a Kirghiz plant, displays antiproliferative in vitro activity against three lines of human tumour cells in culture. It is characterised by the presence of an azeloyl substituent giving a zwitterionic structure to the molecule.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide