Reflexin A, a new indole alkaloid from Rauvolfia reflexa induces apoptosis against colon cancer cells

• Published in: Journal of asian natural products research Vol. 22; no. 5; pp. 474 - 488
• Main Authors: Fadaeinasab, Mehran, Karimian, Hamed, Omar, Hanita, Taha, Hairin, khorasani, Arash, Banisalam, Behrooz, Aziz Ketuly, Kamal, Abdullah, Zanariah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: ABINGDON Taylor & Francis 03.05.2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Acute toxicity; Anticancer properties; Antitumor activity; Apoptosis; Bark; Biocompatibility; Chemistry; Chemistry, Applied; Chemistry, Medicinal; Colon; Colon cancer; Colonic Neoplasms; Colorectal cancer; Flavanones; HCT-116 cells; Humans; In vivo methods and tests; Indole Alkaloids; Indoles; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Molecular Structure; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Pharmacology & Pharmacy; Physical Sciences; Plant Sciences; Rauvolfia; Rauvolfia reflexa; Rauwolfia; reflexin A; Science & Technology; Toxicity; reflexin A; indole alkaloids; Rauvolfia reflexa; acute toxicity; DRUGS; apoptosis; HCT-116 cells
• ISSN: 1028-6020; 1477-2213
• DOI: 10.1080/10286020.2019.1588888

One new indole alkaloid, reflexin A (1), and two known indoles, macusine B (2) and vinorine (3), were isolated from the bark of Rauvolfia reflexa. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR, UV, IR, and MS spectroscopic analyses. Compound 1 displayed anticancer activity against HCT-116 colon cancer cells with an IC 50 value of 30.24 ± 0.75 µM. The results implied that the newly isolated 1 induced apoptosis in HCT-116 cells, suggesting its possible role as an anticancer agent. In vivo acute toxicity study was performed on compound 1 to evaluate its safety profile.