Indole alkaloids from Ervatamia chinensis

► Six bisindole alkaloids (1-6) were isolated from Ervatamia chinensis. ► Absolute stereochemistries of 1-4 were elucidated by CD exciton chirality method. ► First report of chemical investigation of E. chinensis. ► Alkaloids 1-6 exhibited inhibitory activities against five human cancer cell lines.