Heliotropiurn indicurn also contains this base which has the structure given above
based upon comparison with the preceding alkaloid. The base has proved to be
highly active against transplanted neoplasts, Walker-256 carcinosarcoma,
melanoma B-16, leukaemia L-12l 0, leukaemia P-388 and leukaemia P-1534 in
mice and rats, giving up to 91 per cent inhibition of transplanted growth at a
daily dosage of 200 mgm. per kilo.
Indicine N-oxide is a pyrrolizidine alkaloid that is isolated from Heliotropium indicum, one of the most widely used herbs in India. Indicine N-oxide exhibits antitumour and antimitotic activity in humans, and has subsequently undergone Phase I & II trials in adults and children with leukemia and solid tumours.
Rao, McBride., U.S. Patent, 3,717,710 February 20,1973
