Sesquiterpene alkaloids from Tripterygium hypoglaucum and Tripterygium wilfordii:: A new class of potent anti-HIV agents

Five new sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids [triptonines A (1) and B (2), and wildfordinines A (3), B (4), and C (5)] and two known compounds (peritassine A and hypoglaunine C) were isolated from Tripterygium hypoglaucum and a clinically used extract of Tripterygium wilfordii. The structures of 1-5 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The anti-HIV activity of 1, 2, and several related compounds was evaluated. Triptonine B (2) demonstrated potent anti-HIV activity with an EC50 value of <0.10 mu g/mL and an in vitro therapeutic index value of > 1000.