CARBAZOLE ALKALOIDS FROM MURRAYA-KOENIGII

Two new alkaloids, 9-carbethoxy-3-methylcarbazole and 9-formyl-3-methy lcarbazole, and a known metabolite, 3-methyl-carbazole were isolated f rom the roots of Murraya koenigii. All three compounds were identified by detailed spectral analyses including 2D NMR studies and their stru ctures confirmed by synthesis. Of the two new metabolites, the 9-formy l compound displayed weak cytotoxicity against both mouse melanoma B16 and adriamycin-resistant P388 mouse leukemia cell lines. (C) 1997 Els evier Science Ltd.