Anticancer activity of limonoid from Khaya senegalensis

Two limonoids were isolated from the methanol extract of Khaya senegalensis (Meliaceae), and their structures were identified as 3alpha,7alpha-dideacetylkhivorin (1) and 1-O-acetylkhayanolide B (2) on the basis of MS and NMR spectral data. Complete assignments of (1)H and (13)C chemical shifts for compounds 1 and 2 were achieved by means of 1D and 2D NMR including DEPT, (1)H-(1)H COSY, HMQC, HMBC experiments. Compound 1 showed significant growth inhibitory activities against MCF-7, SiHa and Caco-2 cells with IC(50) values in the range of 0.07-0.14 microm (35-69 ppm) while compound 2 did not.