Sesbanimide A and related tumor inhibitors from Sesbania drummondii: Structure and chemistry

Abstract

Extracts of Sesbania drummondii seed have yielded three new glutarimide tumor inhibitors which are markedly active in the PS leukemia ( in vivo) system and in the KB cell culture system. Structures of sesbanimide A, sesbanimide B, sesbanimide C, acetylation products of the sesbanimides and five compounds obtained by hydrogenating sesbanimide A under mild conditions have now been established using high-field 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectral correlations. Treatment of sesbanimide A diacetate with sodium bicarbonate in aqueous methanol gives rapid elimination of acetic acid and two subsequent products derived via solvolysis of the glutarimide ring.