The alkaloids and other constituents from the root and stem of Aristolochia elegans

Two new aristolactams, aristolactam E (1) and aristolactam-AIIIa-6-O-beta-D-glucoside (2), three novel benzoyl benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline ether N-oxide alkaloids, aristoquinoline A (3), aristoquinoline B (4), and aristoquinoline C (5), and a new biphenyl ether, aristogin F (6), together with 62 known compounds have been isolated from the root and stem of Aristolochia elegans Mast. The structures of the new natural products were established on the basis of spectral evidence. Some of the isolated compounds were examined for their antioxidative and antityrosinase activities. Occurrence of the isoquinolones, biphenyl ethers, and benzoyl benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline ether alkaloids in the same plant indicated the definite possibility of these metabolites as biotransformation intermediates of bisbenzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids. This can be useful to solve the catabolic process of bisbenzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd.