Bioactive-guided fractionation and purification of the ethyl acetate fraction of an
ethanolic extract of fresh flowers of Pancratium maritimum (Amaryllidaceae)
cultivated in Egypt yielded an alkaloid, pancratistatin (1), together with 3-
caffeoylquinic acid methyl ester (2). Their structures were determined on the basis of
extensive 1D (1H and 13C) and 2D (COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) NMR studies
and high-resolution mass spectral measurements. Both compounds showed potent
cytotoxic activity against HeLa cells and moderate anti-tuberculosis activity against
Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. This is the first report of pancratistatin in
Pancratium maritimum and the first report of 3-caffeoylquinic acid methyl ester in the
family Amaryllidaceae.