Five new benzylphenanthrenes from Cremastra appendiculata.

Five new benzylphenanthrenes, cremaphenanthrenes L-P (1-5) were isolated from the EtOAc-soluble extract of the tubers of Cremastra appendiculata. Their structures were elucidated based on the spectroscopic data and chemical methods. Compounds 1-5 were tested in vitro for their cytotoxic effects against colon (HCT-116), cervix (Hela), and breast (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) cancer cell lines. Compound 1 showed moderate cytotoxic activities against HCT-116, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 15.84 to 24.18 μM and weak cytotoxicity to Hela cell line with IC50 value of 68.81 μM.