A new naturally occurring alkaloid, acetylcamptothecin, together with
17 known compounds, (+)-1-hydroxypinoresinol, omega-hydroxypropioguaia
cone, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, scopoletin, uracil, thymine, sitosterol,
sitosteryl-beta-D-glucoside, 3 beta-hydroxy-stigmast-5-en-7-one, stigm
ast-5-en-3 beta,7 alpha-diol, 6 beta-hydroxystigmast-4-en-3-one, sitos
t-4-en-3-one, linoleic acid, trigonelline, camptothecin, 9-O-methoxyca
mptothecin and pumiloside were isolated and characterized from the ste
m of Nothapodytes-foetida. Among them, scopoletin, camptothecin, 9-O-m
ethoxycamptothecin and O-acetylcamptothecin showed significant cytotox
ic activity.