Through our continuing search for anticancer agents from Madagascar rainforests as a part of International Cooperative Biodiversity Group (ICBG), we received two extracts which were active against the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line and hence were selected for further fractionation. Six compounds were isolated from these extracts. The structure elucidation and characterization of these compounds was carried out using mass spectrometry and 1D and 2D NMR techniques. The bioassay-guided fractionation of Roupellina (Strophanthus) boivinii yielded three new and one known cardenolide glycosides. The structure of the known cardenolide glycoside was determined after comparison of NMR data to that found in literature for digitoxigenin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1â 4)-α-L-acofriopyranoside. All four compounds exhibited good antiproliferative activity on the A2780 bioassay. The fractionation of the extract of Grewia sp. led to the isolation of one new and one known triterpenoid. The known triterpenoid was identified as 7β-hydroxy-23-deoxojessic acid and its structure was confirmed by comparison of its 1D and 2D NMR data to that found in literature. / Master of Science

As part of an International Cooperative Biodiversity Group (ICBG), extracts of plants from Suriname and Madagascar were bioassayed for cytotoxicity and antimalarial activity. Six cytotoxic extracts and one potential antimalarial were selected for fractionation, and yielded a number of bioactive compounds which were characterized by spectroscopy methods. Craspidospermum verticillatum (Apocynaceae) yielded four known indole alkoids. Casimirella sp (Icacinaceae) gave three new and five known diterpenoids. Pentopetia androsaemifolia (Apocynaceae) afforded one new and three known cardenolide glycosides. Physalis angulata (Solanaceae) yielded seven known physalins. Roupellina boivinnii (Apocynaceae) yielded four known and three new cardenolide glycosides, and three known cucurbitacins were isolated from Octolepis aff. dioica (Thymelaeaceae). In addition to these structural studies, a synthetic approach to lucilactaene, a cell cycle inhibitor was developed. / Ph. D.