8-O-Azeloyl-14-benzoylaconine:: A new alkaloid from the roots of Aconitum karacolicum Rapcs and its antiproliferative activities

A new alkaloid of Aconitum karacolicum Rapcs, from the Ranunculaceae family, collected in Kirghizstan, was isolated from the roots of this plant, using a purification scheme based upon its in vitro antiproliferative properties against three human tumour cell lines in culture. Structural identification was performed using high resolution MS-MS mass spectrometry and H-1, C-13, 2D NOESY NMR spectroscopy analysis. This compound consists of a 14-benzoylaconine moiety substituted on C-8 by an azeloyl chain. It presents in vitro cytotoxicity with an IC50 of about 10-20 mu M, which warrants further investigation on its possible interest in cancer chemotherapy. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.