Bioactive azafluorenone alkaloids from Polyalthia debilis (Pierre) Finet & Gagnep.

This study investigated bioactive extracts of Polyalthia debilis (Annonaceae) with antimicrobial, antimalarial and cytotoxic activities. Extensive chromatographic isolations provided azafluorenone alkaloids; onychine (1) and 7-methoxyonychine (2) together with a mixture of beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol. The two alkaloids were isolated from the P. debilis for the first time. Isolated fractions containing a mixture of triterpenoids (C7, C8 and C9) exhibited the most potent antimicrobial activity against many bacterial strains with minimum inhibitory concentration of 64 microg/mL. Fractions with antimalarial and cytotoxic activities were also observed. The findings suggest the potential use of P. debilis in medicinal applications.