Dihydrochelerythrine is a benzophenanthridine alkaloid that has been found in Bocconia arborea and has diverse biological activities.1,2,3 It is active against S. aureus, S. faecalis, and C. albicans (MIC = 1.87 μg/ml for all).1 Dihydrochelerythrine inhibits secretion of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens HBsAg and HBeAg from HepG2 2.2.15 cells (IC50s = <0.05 μM for both).2 It is cytotoxic to HCT8, BGC-823, and A2780 cancer cells (IC50s = 1.4, 0.4, and 3.5 μM, respectively).3
1.Navarro, V., and Delgado, G.Two antimicrobial alkaloids from Bocconia arboreJ. Ethnopharmacol.66(2)223-226(1999) 2.Wu, Y.R., Ma, Y.B., Zhao, Y.X., et al.Two new quaternary alkaloids and anti-hepatitis B virus active constituents from Corydalis saxicolPlanta Med.73(8)787-791(2007) 3.Deng, A.J., and Qin, H.L.Cytotoxic dihydrobenzophenanthridine alkaloids from the roots of Macleaya microcarpPhytochemistry71(7)816-822(2010)