A new monoterpenoid indole alkaloid from Ervatamia chinensis

AIM: To study the chemical constituents of the whole plants of E. chinensis, and find new or effective components. METHODS: Compounds were isolated by repeated silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. The structures were elucidated by NMR and HRESI-MS spectrometry. RESULTS: Six alkaloids were isolated from whole plants of E. chinensis, and their structures were elucidated as ervachinine E (1), rutaecarpine (2), 1-methyl-2-nonyl-4(1H)-quinolone (3), dihydroevocarpine (4), evocarpine (5), and 1-methyl-2-(Z)-6-undecenyl-4(1H)-quinolone (6), respectively. CONCLUSION: Compound 1 is a new monoterpenoid indole alkaloid and with moderate anti-tumor activity, while compounds 2-6 are reported from this species for the first time.