A study on the chemical constituents of Veratrum nigrum L. processed by rice vinegar

Abstract

One new steroid alkaloid, 12β-hydroxylveratroylzygadenine (1) and four known compounds, verdine (2), jervine (3), veramarine (4), and veratroylzygadenine (5), have been isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Veratrum nigrum L. processed by rice vinegar. Their structures were established through a combined analysis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic evidence. The assay results revealed that compounds 1, 4, and 5 exhibited cell toxicity against human HL-60 cells with IC₅₀ values 52.67, 52.90, and 56.51 μmol/l, respectively.

Keywords:

• Veratrum nigrum L
• steroid alkaloid
• cytotoxicity
• 12β-hydroxylveratroylzygadenine

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Professor Qishi Sun for identification of the plant material. This work was financially supported by Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University of People's Republic of China (No. NCET-04-0289).