Unusual cytotoxic phenethylamides from Xenorhabdus nematophilus

Three simple carboxamides incorporating the phenethylamine moiety have been isolated from strain XR-NC of a symbiotic bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophil us. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic data and synthesis. T he compounds exhibited significant cytotoxicities against human cancer-cell line, viz. the gastric adenocarcinoma, colon adenocarcinoma and lung adeno carcinoma.