A new quassinoid from fruits of Brucea javanica.

A new minor quassinoid named bruceine M (1), together with 12 known quassinoids (2-13), was isolated from the fruits of Brucea javanica (Simaroubaceae). Their structures were determined by interpretation of NMR and HR-ESI-MS data. The structures of the known compounds were confirmed by comparison of their spectral data with those reported in the literatures. In vitro cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds against cancer cell lines Bel-7404, MCF-7 and A549 was evaluated. Compounds 4, 6 and 9 exhibited significant growth inhibitory activity against three cancer cell lines.