CYTOTOXIC CONSTITUENTS OF SAUSSUREA-LAPPA

The crude extract of Saussurea lappa displayed significant lethality t o brine shrimp larvae. Investigation of the causative components by bi oactivity-directed fractionation resulted in the isolation of three C- 17-polyene alcohols. Based on various nmr spectral data, these compoun ds were identified as shikokiols which had been previously isolated fr om Cirsium nipponicum and/or Centaurea aegyptica. These C-17-polyene a lcohols exhibited moderate cytotoxicities against the human tumor cell lines, A549, SK-OV-3, SK-MEL-2, XF498, and HCT15.