Cytotoxic isoflavones from Erythrina indica

Bioassay-directed fractionation of the CH2Cl2-MeOH (1:1) extract of the stem bark of Erythrina indica, has resulted in the isolation of two new isoflavone derivatives named indicanines D and E together with 11 known compounds including: six isoflavones (genistein, wighteone, alpinumisoflavone, dimethylalpinumisoflavone, 8-prenyl erythrinin C, and erysenegalensein E), one cinnamate (erythrinassinate B), two pentacyclic triterpenes (oleanolic acid and erythrodiol), and two phytosterols (stigmasterol and its 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by means of spectroscopic analysis. The in vitro cytocidal activity against KB cells of some of the isolated compounds is also reported. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.