SYNTHESIS OF CYTOTOXIC 1-POLYHYDROXYALKYL-BETA-CARBOLINE DERIVATIVES

,4-threo-3,4,5-trihydroxy-1-pentyl)-beta-carboline 16a was synthesized from 1-formyl-beta-carboline in 13 steps. The prepared compound is on e of the diastereomers of an alkaloid 3 produced by the inter-generic somatic hybrid cell culture of Rauwolfia serpentina Benth and Rhazya s tricta Decaisne (family: Apocynaceae). The NB-benzyl and N9-methyl der ivatives 16b,c were also prepared. The final compounds and some of the intermediates showed cytotoxic activity against human promyelocytic l eukemia cells HL 60 and/or human diploid embryonic lung fibroblast cel ls.