Strynuxlines A and B, alkaloids with an unprecedented carbon skeleton from Strychnos nux-vomica.

The investigation of the seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica led to the isolation of two novel indole alkaloids, strynuxlines A (1) and B (2), with an unprecedented 6/5/9/6/7/6 hexacyclic ring system. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated on the basis of their MS, NMR, and ECD data. A plausible biosynthesis pathway of 1 and 2 is also proposed.