Two new bisindole alkaloids from the seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica.

The reinvestigation of Strychnos nux-vomica resulted in the isolation of two colorless monoquaternary bisindole alkaloids from the seeds. The structures of the two new compounds named 4-N-hydroxymethyl strychnidin-17-acetic acid (1) and 10, 11-dimethoxy-4-N-hydroxymethyl strychnidin-17-acetic acid (2), were defined by detailed spectral analyses, especially (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, DEPT, HSQC, (1)H NMR-(1)H NMR, NOESY, HMBC and TOF-MS.