The objects of the study were Ephedra procera Fisch (Fam. Ephedraceae), Taxus baccata L. (Fam. Taxaceae) and Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt (Fam. Berberidaceae) growing or introduced in Georgia.Biologically active alkaloid-containing substances were obtained by liquid-liquid extraction. In all studied species, the dominant alkaloids belong to the acyclic, diterpene and isoquinoline groups of alkaloids, respectively.In vitro cytotoxic activity was evaluated on A-549 (lung carcinoma cell lines), DLD-1 (colon adenocarcinoma cells) and WS-1 (human fibroblast normal cell lines). The sums of alkaloids obtained from Ephedra Procera showed selective cytotoxic activity against A-549 and DLD-1. An alkaloid enriched fraction isolated from Taxus baccata L. demonstrated significant specific cytotoxic activity against A-549 and DLD-1 cell lines. The sums obtained from Mahonia aquifolium exhibited pronounced activity against all cell lines -A-549, DLD-1 and WS-1 according to the Resazurine and Hoechst models.

Approaching on comparative phytochemical screening tests of six species of Genus Mahonia Nuttall (Family Berberidaceae), which are introduced on the territory of Georgia, by productivity of biologically active alkaloids our attention deserves: Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt., Mahonia bealei (Fort.) Carr; Mahonia japonica (Thunb.) DC.; Mahonia wagneri Join.After studying samples with alkaloids on thin layer chromatography compared with standard solutions, there were identified isoquinoline alkaloids such as: berberine, jatrorrhizine, palmatine, magnoflorine, berbamine and colchicine. The total substance obtained from the vegetative organs of Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape) were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity against cells of lung carcinoma lines (A-549), colon adenocarcinoma (DLD-1) and normal human fibroblasts (WS-1). As a result, the investigated fractions showed pronounced activity against all cell lines.