700, and 1000 mg/L) were evaluated against 17 fungal strains. At 250 mg/L
concentration, spore germination of Cercospora sp. was completely inhibited while
at a concentration of 750 or 1000 mg/L, H. sativum, Helminthosporium maydis and
Erysiphe polygoni were found to be sensitive to 231 (100% inhibition of spore
germination). Alternaria species and Fusarium udum were found to be resistant to
the tested compounds. Further, 231 was active against facultative and biotrophic
pathogens.
In another study, U. P. Singh et al. evaluated the antifungal activity of 229
against ten species of fungi (Singh et al. 2000). Since 229 is insoluble in water, an
acetate form was prepared by dissolving the alkaloid in a molar equivalent of
1 mol/L aqueous acetic acid. A series of concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 mg/L)
were evaluated for antifungal activities. An aqueous solution of 229 as its acetate
showed antifungal activity against all the plant pathogenic and saprophytic fungi. A.
brassicicola and U. cynodontis were most sensitive to 229 (higher inhibitory
potential at 0.5 mg/L concentration). At the higher concentrations (2.0 mg/L),
Fusarium udum, Aspergillus flavus, Alternaria brassicicola, and Ustilago cynodontis showed maximum sensitivity (seed germination is less than 10%). Further,
the effect of 229 on the germination and development of E. pisi conidia on excised
pea leaves were also evaluated. Results indicated that 229 had a marked effect in the
reduction of germination of E. pisi conidia and pre-inoculation treatment with 229
showed greater efficacy than post-inoculation treatment.
14.3.6 Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities
of A. Yunnanensis
14.3.6.1 Cytotoxic and Anti-inflammatory Activity
Feng et al. isolated various alkaloids (20, 232–255, Fig. 14.48) from the alkaloid
extract of A. yunnanensis whole plants and cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory
potential were evaluated (Feng et al. 2009). Alstoyunines C (234), E (236), and F
(237) displayed selective inhibition of COX-II (>75%), while NS-398 (positive
control) exhibited a 97.09% COX-II inhibition. All the screened alkaloids exhibited
poor activity against COX-I. In the 5-LOX inhibition assay, 236 exhibited 77.72%
inhibition, while positive control (zileuton) exhibited 83.05% inhibition.
Cytotoxicity evaluations were performed in HL-60, A-549, SMMC-7721, pancreatic cancer (PANC-1), and SK-BR-3cells. Except 237 remaining compounds
exhibited a poor activity in all the cell lines (IC 50 > 40 µM). 237 exhibited an IC 50
of 3.89 µM against HL-60.
In another study, Cao et al. isolated 8 (240, 256–262) monoterpenoid indole
alkaloids (Fig. 14.49) from the ethanolic extract of A. yunnanensis whole plants and
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A. T. Paul et al.
concentration, spore germination of Cercospora sp. was completely inhibited while
at a concentration of 750 or 1000 mg/L, H. sativum, Helminthosporium maydis and
Erysiphe polygoni were found to be sensitive to 231 (100% inhibition of spore
germination). Alternaria species and Fusarium udum were found to be resistant to
the tested compounds. Further, 231 was active against facultative and biotrophic
pathogens.
In another study, U. P. Singh et al. evaluated the antifungal activity of 229
against ten species of fungi (Singh et al. 2000). Since 229 is insoluble in water, an
acetate form was prepared by dissolving the alkaloid in a molar equivalent of
1 mol/L aqueous acetic acid. A series of concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 mg/L)
were evaluated for antifungal activities. An aqueous solution of 229 as its acetate
showed antifungal activity against all the plant pathogenic and saprophytic fungi. A.
brassicicola and U. cynodontis were most sensitive to 229 (higher inhibitory
potential at 0.5 mg/L concentration). At the higher concentrations (2.0 mg/L),
Fusarium udum, Aspergillus flavus, Alternaria brassicicola, and Ustilago cynodontis showed maximum sensitivity (seed germination is less than 10%). Further,
the effect of 229 on the germination and development of E. pisi conidia on excised
pea leaves were also evaluated. Results indicated that 229 had a marked effect in the
reduction of germination of E. pisi conidia and pre-inoculation treatment with 229
showed greater efficacy than post-inoculation treatment.
14.3.6 Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities
of A. Yunnanensis
14.3.6.1 Cytotoxic and Anti-inflammatory Activity
Feng et al. isolated various alkaloids (20, 232–255, Fig. 14.48) from the alkaloid
extract of A. yunnanensis whole plants and cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory
potential were evaluated (Feng et al. 2009). Alstoyunines C (234), E (236), and F
(237) displayed selective inhibition of COX-II (>75%), while NS-398 (positive
control) exhibited a 97.09% COX-II inhibition. All the screened alkaloids exhibited
poor activity against COX-I. In the 5-LOX inhibition assay, 236 exhibited 77.72%
inhibition, while positive control (zileuton) exhibited 83.05% inhibition.
Cytotoxicity evaluations were performed in HL-60, A-549, SMMC-7721, pancreatic cancer (PANC-1), and SK-BR-3cells. Except 237 remaining compounds
exhibited a poor activity in all the cell lines (IC 50 > 40 µM). 237 exhibited an IC 50
of 3.89 µM against HL-60.
In another study, Cao et al. isolated 8 (240, 256–262) monoterpenoid indole
alkaloids (Fig. 14.49) from the ethanolic extract of A. yunnanensis whole plants and
508
A. T. Paul et al.