Indonesian medicinal plants. XXIV. Stereochemical structure of perseitol x K+ complex isolated from the leaves of Scurrula fusca (Loranthaceae).

A complex of perseitol (D-glycero-D-galacto-heptitol) and K+ ions in a molar ratio of 20:1 was isolated from the leaves of Scurrula fusca (Loranthaceae), which has been traditionally used for the treatment of cancer in Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. The stereochemical structure of the complex in H2O solution has been elucidated by use of several kinds of NMR techniques. Furthermore, it has been found that the complex exhibits a potent inhibitory effect on [3H]-leucine incorporation for protein synthesis in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in mice.