New colchicinoids from a native Jordanian meadow saffron, colchicum brachyphyllum: isolation of the first naturally occurring dextrorotatory colchicinoid

J Nat Prod. 2005 Feb;68(2):173-8. doi: 10.1021/np0496587.

Abstract

As part of our continuing investigation of Jordanian Colchicum species, the biologically active components of Colchicum brachyphyllum were pursued. Using bioactivity-directed fractionation, nine colchicinoids were isolated and characterized. One of these has a novel ring system, to which we have ascribed the trivial name (+)-demecolcinone (9), and it represents the first naturally occurring dextrorotatory colchicinoid. Another isolated compound was a new colchicinoid analogue, (-)-2,3-didemethyldemecolcine (8), while the remaining seven known colchicinoids were new to the species: (-)-colchicine (1), (-)-3-demethylcolchicine (2), (-)-cornigerine (3), beta-lumicolchicine (4), (-)-androbiphenyline (5), (-)-demecolcine (6), and (-)-3-demethyldemecolcine (7). The brine shrimp lethality test was used to direct the isolation of these colchicinoids. Moreover, all pure compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against a human cancer cell panel, for antimicrobial activity in an array of bacteria and fungi (including yeast), and for their potential to be allosteric modulators of the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / chemistry
  • Alkaloids / isolation & purification*
  • Alkaloids / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / isolation & purification*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology
  • Artemia / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Colchicine* / analogs & derivatives
  • Colchicine* / chemistry
  • Colchicine* / isolation & purification
  • Colchicine* / pharmacology
  • Colchicum / chemistry*
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Jordan
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry*
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Colchicine