Hemisynthesis and antiproliferative properties of mono-[O-(14-benzoylaconine-8-yl)]esters and bis-[O-(14-benzoylaconine-8-yl)]esters

► We synthesised a series of compounds derived from Aconitum alkaloids. ► Three of them displayed antiproliferative activity against human tumour cell lines. ► Antitumour activity was detected in human tumour xenografts in immunodeficient mice.