Alstoscholarisine K, an Antimicrobial Indole from Gall-Induced Leaves of Alstonia scholaris

Org Lett. 2021 Aug 6;23(15):5782-5786. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.1c01942. Epub 2021 Jul 16.

Abstract

Alstoscholarisine K, an indole alkaloid with eight chiral carbons and featuring a novel 6/5/6/6/6/6/6/5 octacyclic architecture, was found to be specific to the gall-infected leaves of Alstonia scholaris. Its structure was elucidated by spectroscopy, computational analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The unusual highly fused cage-like pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimidine structure with an additional -C4N unit is possibly derived from a combination of monoterpenoid indole and polyamine pathways. The fascinating compound exhibited significant antibacterial bioactivities by targeting cell membranes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alstonia / chemistry*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Infective Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Infective Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Indole Alkaloids / chemistry*
  • Indole Alkaloids / isolation & purification
  • Indole Alkaloids / pharmacology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Molecular Structure
  • Monoterpenes / chemistry
  • Monoterpenes / isolation & purification
  • Monoterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Indole Alkaloids
  • Monoterpenes