Chapter 4 Chemistry and Biology of Carbazole Alkaloids

Abstract

This chapter explores that carbazole has been discovered from coal tar. The first carbazole from a biological source, the alkaloid murrayanine was isolated from Murraya koenigii Spreng. The genera Micromelum (Rutaceae) and Ekebergia (Meliaceae) have also been reported to elaborate carbazole alkaloids. Murraya euchrestifolia, obtained from Taiwan, has been found to be the richest source of carbazole alkaloids, providing a variety of novel structures. Some bioactive carbazole alkaloids have been reported from other sources (actinomycetes, blue-green algae) and from mammalian systems. From the aspect of structural considerations, tricyclic to octacyclic alkaloids have been reported. The chapter discusses that carbozole was based on IR, UV, and mass spectral data as well as from direct comparison with a pure sample. 3-Chlorocarbazole is a potent inhibitor of rat liver monoamine oxidase. The inhibition of lipid peroxidation induced by free radicals generated in the presence of Fe2+ and ascorbic acid by carazostatin is higher than that with the brain protective agent lunarizine, which has a free radical-scavenging activity. As an antioxidant, it is better than butylated hydroxytoluene. Carazostatin is helpful for alleviation of tissue damage due to the action of superoxide radicals and subsequent peroxidative disintegration of cell membranes.