Two cytotoxic isoquinoline alkaloids, liriodenine and palmatine, were isolated from the Xanthorhiza simplicissima Marsh. Liriodenine, isolated for the second time from the family of Ranunculaceae, demonstrated potent cytotoxicity against KB, A-549, HCT-8, P-388, and L-1210 tumor cells, while
The organic extract of the whole plant Xanthorhiza simplicissima was found to exhibit good activity against the AIDS-related opportunistic pathogens Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Mycobacterium intracellularae. Bioassay-directed fractionation of the extract led to the isolation of