Alstoscholarisine M, a 6,7-seco-vallesamine monoterpenoid indole alkaloid with antimicrobial activity from Alstonia scholaris

Abstract

Alstoscholarisine M is a 6,7-seco-vallesamine monoterpenoid indole alkaloid with a rare methylcarbamate fragment, isolated from the leaves of Alstonia scholaris. Extensive spectroscopic data analyses, quantum chemical computations, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction elucidated its structure. The fascinating compound exhibited potential antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum, and its activity was roughly comparable to the first-line antifungal drug griseofulvin and significantly more effective than berberine, an important antimicrobial drug originating from plants.