Ellipticine is a tetracyclic alkaloid first extracted from trees of the species Ochrosia elliptica and Rauvolfia sandwicensis,[5][6] which inhibits the enzyme topoisomerase II via intercalative binding to DNA.

[7] Ellipticine is an organic compound present in several trees within the genera Ochrosia, Rauvolfia, Aspidosperma, and Apocynaceae.

[8] It was first isolated from Ochrosia elliptica Labill., a flowering tree native to Australia and New Caledonia which gives the alkaloid its name, in 1959,[5] and synthesised by Robert Burns Woodward later the same year.

In its intercalated state, ellipticine binds strongly[9] and lies parallel to the base pairs,[10] increasing the superhelical density of the DNA.

[10] In clinical trials, ellipticine derivatives have been observed to induce remission of tumour growth, but are not used for medical purposes due to their high toxicity; side effects include nausea and vomiting, hypertension, cramp, pronounced fatigue, mouth dryness, and mycosis of the tongue and oesophagus.