Bruceolides from Filjian Brucea javanica

Inhibition of the uptake of 3 H-thymidine into TLX-5 mouse lymphoma cells has been used to assess the cytotoxicity of extracts and fractions of BRUCEA JAVANICA. Six bruceolides, two dehydrobruceolides and a dihydrobruceolide have been isolated from roots, fruits and stems. Bruceine A was the major bruceolide of the roots and of the fruits. The potent antineoplastic bruceolides, bruceantin and bruceantinol, previously isolated from B. ANTIDYSENTERICA and B. GUINEENSIS have been isolated together with the novel compounds dehydrobruceine A and dihydrobruceine A. Bruceantarin and dehydrobruceine B, not previously reported from this species, and bruceines B and C were also isolated. The identification of these nine compounds by means of their UV, EIMS, CIMS, FDMS and 1 H NMR spectra is discussed.