Synthesis and Bioactivity of β-Carboline Derivatives

The beta-carboline alkaloids possess a wide diversity of important biochemical effects and pharmacological properties. A series of beta-carboline derivatives were synthesized from L-tryptophan through the Pictet-Spengler reaction and oxidation of K2Cr2O7 by a sequential one-pot synthesis method. In vitro anti-bacterial, insecticidal, and cytotoxic activities of all synthesized compounds were investigated by the tablet diffusion, leaf disc, and MTT methods, respectively. Some of the compounds (1-1, 1-2, 1-3 and 1-12) exhibited obvious anti-bacterial effects and sonic (1-3) had significant cytotoxic activities against tumor cells 3LL, MCF-7, BGC-823 and QGY-7701, with IC50 values of 7.79, 5.75, 3.52 and 4.02 mu g/mL, respectively. No insecticidal activity against third stage instar larvae of Mythimna separata Walker were observed under the tested concentration.