This work describes the isolation and structural determination of nine monoterpenic indole alkaloids from the root barks and leaves of Tabernaemontana salzmannii. The alkaloids were identified by spectroscopic methods uni (NMR ¹H, 13C, APT) and two-dimensional (¹H-¹H-COSY, ¹H-¹H-NOESY, HMQC and HMBC) and mass spectra besides comparison with literature data. An in vitro screening was done with the isolated major alkaloids. Among the nine alkaloids isolated, isovoacangine and voacangine alkaloids were able to induce apoptosis cell death in human leukemic cells line THP-1.
Tabernaemontana salzmannii; Apocynaceae; indole alkaloids; antileukemic activity