A new cytotoxic benzophenanthridine isoquinoline alkaloid, named cordatine (1), together with one known alkaloid 8-methoxydihydrochelerythrine (2), was isolated from the fruits of Macleaya cordata. The structure of the new compound was elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS. Both compounds indicated significant cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and SF-268 cell lines. © 2015 Taylor & Francis.