Carbazole alkaloids from Murraya koenigii

Abstract Two new alkaloids, 9-carbethoxy-3-methylcarbazole and 9-formyl-3- methylcarbazole, and a known metabolite, 3-methyl-carbazole were isolated from the roots of Murraya koenigii . All three compounds were identified by detailed spectral analyses including 2D NMR studies and their structures confirmed by synthesis. Of the two metabolites, the 9-formyl compound displayed weak cytotoxicity against both mouse melanoma B16 and adriamycin-resistant P388 mouse leukemia cell lines. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd