β-Carboline Alkaloids from the Seeds of <i>Peganum harmala</i> and Their Anti-HSV-2 Virus Activities
Zhong‐Nan Wu, Neng‐Hua Chen, Qing Tang, Si Chen, Zhao‐Chun Zhan, Yubo Zhang, Guo‐Cai Wang, Yao-Lan Li, Wen‐Cai Ye
Abstract
Pegaharines A–G (1–6), six novel β-carboline alkaloids representing three types of skeleton, were isolated from the seeds of Peganum harmala. Compound 1 is a peculiar β-carboline alkaloid characterized by the unprecedented carbon skeleton of an azepine–indole system. Compounds 3–6 represent the first examples of heterodimers constructed from rare tetracyclic β-carboline and classic tricyclic β-carboline alkaloids. Compounds 1 and 2 were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Compound 4 exhibited strong antiviral activity against HSV-2, with an IC50 value of 2.12 ± 0.14 μM.
Topics & Concepts
Peganum harmalaChemistryAzepineAlkaloidStereochemistryCarbon skeletonIndole testHarmineIC50Traditional medicineBotanyBiochemistryBiologyIn vitroPharmacologyMedicineSynthesis and bioactivity of alkaloidsSynthesis and Biological EvaluationPhytochemical compounds biological activities