Alkaloids of Acronychia Baueri Schott I: Isolation of the Alkaloids and a Study of the Antitumor and Other Biological Properties of Acronycine

Utilizing a differential extraction technique for the examination of the bark of the Australian plant Acronychia Baueri Schott (Bauerella australiana Borzi), has resulted in the isolation of the triterpene lupeol and the alkaloids melicopine, acronycine, and normelicopidine. The experimental antitumor activity associated with the crude alkaloidal mixture obtained from the ether extract has been shown to be attributable to acronycine. Experimental evidence is herein given, showing acronycine to have the broadest antitumor spectrum of any alkaloid isolated to date in these laboratories. By virtue of its being chemically unrelated to any of the presently utilized antitumor agents it represents a new lead in the search for agents effective in the chemotherapeutic management of human neoplasms.