Chemistry and pharmacology of a tertiary alkaloid from Strychnos trinervis root bark.

Bisnordihydrotoxiferine has been isolated as the major alkaloid from the root bark of Strychnos trinervis. This compound shows a wide antimicrobial spectrum against gram-positive, gram-negative and acid-fast microorganisms, filamentous and yeast-like fungi and also phytopathogenic microorganisms. Preliminary studies also reveal some cytotoxic activity in KB cells which was confirmed by tests against sarcoma 180 tumors.