Antidepressive Azaanthracene Alkaloids from Corydalis decumbens

Abstract

A new azaanthracene alkaloid, named 1-aza-4-(4′-hydroxybenzyl)-9,10-dimethoxydioxolobenzo-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroanthracene (1), together with seven known azaanthracene alkaloid derivatives (2–8), were isolated from Corydalis decumbens for the first time. Their structures were elucidated by their spectral data and references. Compounds 1–8 were evaluated for their antidepressive activities by inhibiting reuptake of tritiated serotonin ([3H]-NE and [3H]-5-HT) in rat brain synaptosomes. Among them, compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate antidepressive activities.