Cytotoxic phenolics from the flowers of hippeastrum vittatum

ABSTRACT

Bioassay-guided fractionation and purification of the ethanolic extract of the fresh flowers of Hippeastrum vittatum [Amaryllidaceae] cultivated in Egypt yielded three compounds viz. caffeic acid [1], dihydrocaffeic acid methyl ester [2], together with the polyhydroxylated alkaloid pancratistatin [3]. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined on the basis of extensive 1D [1 H and 13 C] and 2D [COSY, HMQC, and HMBC] NMR studies, and mass spectral measurements. The cytotoxic activity of compounds 1-3 is presented and discussed