A phytochemical investigation of Alchornea latifolia.

A phytochemical investigation of the chloroform leaf extract of Alchornea latifolia has been undertaken. Along with the triterpenoids taraxerone, friedelin, epifriedelinol, and taraxerol, the plant also contains seco-3,4-friedelin (dihydroputranjivic acid) (1) and seco-3,4-taraxerone (2). These A-ring-opened triterpenoids show in vitro cytotoxic activity against Hep-G2 and A-431 human cancer cell lines and are potent inhibitors of topoisomerase II.