Tumor Inhibitors II: Cytotoxic Alkaloids from Annona Purpurea

Investigation of the cytotoxic principles of Annona purpurea L. resulted in the isolation and characterization of four new alkaloids of the aporphine variety. One of the four is an oxoaporphine which shows borderline activity in vitro against the 9-KB tumor test system. The known aporphine isocorydine, oxoaporphine O-methylatheroline, and the proaporphines glaziovine and stepharine were also obtained. Glaziovine and O-methylatheroline also showed limited tumor inhibition.