GC-MS of Crinum latifolium L. alkaloids

A GC-MS analysis of underivatized alkaloids from leaves of Crinum latifolium was performed. From the identified 15 alkaloids, 9 were found for the first time in this plant. Almost all alkaloids belonged to the crinane type. Substantial changes in the methylation and oxidation pattern of the alkaloids at and after flowering were observed.     

Alkaloids of turkish papaver tauricola

The major alkaloids of Papaver tauricola collected in three different parts of Anatolia have proved to be of the rhoeadine type. The three collections possessed different major alkaloids and the existence of chemical strains containing rhoeadine-type alkaloids, is indicated. In addition to the rhoeadine-type alkaloids (rhoeagenine, rhoeadine, oreogenine, oreodine, glaucamine, glaudine and epiglaudine), tetrahydroprotoberberine-(sinactine, scoulerine) and isopavine- (amurensinine) type alkaloids have been isolated as minor products. These findings contrast with the previous literature in which 1-benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline- and proaporphine types were reported to be the major alkaloids.     

Intraspecific variability in the alkaloid metabolism of Galanthus elwesii

Alkaloid pattern of individuals from 16 Bulgarian Galanthus elwesii populations was investigated by GC/MS and TLC. Twenty-one Amaryllidaceae alkaloids were detected and 14 of them were identified. Crinane type alkaloids, haemanthamine or crinine, dominated alkaloid metabolism in most of the populations. With exception of one population, where the separate individuals showed variable alkaloid profiles (dominated by crinine or haemanthamine) the individuals of the rest of populations have identical and characteristic alkaloid profiles. Some populations showed remarkable differences in respect to their alkaloid pattern-type of biosynthesis, main alkaloids and number of alkaloids. Populations dominated by galanthamine type alkaloids were found as well. These data demonstrate that like the morphological features, the alkaloid metabolism of G. elwesii is also variable.     

Five New Alkaloids from the Roots of Sophora flavescens

Five new quinolizidine alkaloids, including three sparteine‐type alkaloids ( 1  –  3 ) and two cytisine‐type alkaloids ( 4 and 5 ), along with four known ones, were isolated from the roots of Sophora flavescens. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic techniques including IR, UV, NMR, and HR‐ESI‐MS. All the compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.     

Phytochemical differentiation of Galanthus nivalis and Galanthus elwesii (Amaryllidaceae): A case study

The alkaloid patterns of two occasionally sympatric Galanthus nivalis and Galanthus elwesii populations were studied by GC/MS. Thirty-seven alkaloids were detected, 25 for G. nivalis and 17 for G. elwesii. Only five alkaloids were found to occur in both species. The populations of Galanthus differed in their alkaloid biosynthetic pathways. Thus, the alkaloid pattern of G. nivalis was dominated by compounds coming from a para–para′ oxidative coupling of O-methylnorbelladine. The predominant alkaloids in the roots of this species were found to belong to the lycorine and tazettine structural types; bulbs were dominated by tazettine, leaves by lycorine and flowers by haemanthamine type alkaloids. In contrast, the alkaloid pattern of G. elwesii was dominated mainly by compounds coming from an ortho–para′ oxidative coupling. The predominant alkaloids in G. elwesii roots, bulbs and leaves were those of homolycorine type, whereas the flowers accumulated mainly tyramine type compounds. The chemotaxonomical value of the alkaloids found in the studied species is discussed.     

Pyrrolo- and pyridoazepine alkaloids as chemical markers in Stemona species

Broad-based phytochemical investigations on 31 Stemona species and geographical provenances led to an overview concerning characteristic accumulation trends and the distribution of different Stemona alkaloids. Two major metabolic differences suggested a taxonomic segregation of the complex Stemona tuberosa group from the other species, and was supported by morphological characters. Whereas most of the Stemona species were characterised by protostemonine type alkaloids, the S. tuberosa group clearly deviated by accumulation trends towards tuberostemonine or croomine derived alkaloids belonging to two different skeletal types. Also of chemotaxonomic relevance was the structural divergence of protostemonine type alkaloids into pyrrolo- or pyridoazepine derivatives represented by stemofoline or oxystemokerrine, respectively, as major constituents. Their common occurrence in different provenances of S. curtisii, also deviating from the other species by various chromosome numbers, deserves special taxonomic attention. Species specific chemical markers were given by the unique accumulation of didehydrostemofoline (=asparagamine A) in S. collinsae and stemokerrine in S. kerrii. In contrast to previous reports, no bisdehydro derivatives with an aromatic pyrrole ring were detected supporting the hypothesis that these alkaloids are artifacts. A new stereoisomer of tuberostemonine was isolated and identified by spectroscopic methods.     

Alcaloïdes du Pandaca ochrascens

From leaves and root bark of Pandaca ochrascens ten alkaloids were isolated: apparicine, akuammicine, dehydro-19,20 condylocarpine, akuammidine, epi-16 dehydro-14,15 vincamine, ibogaine, iboluteine, ibogaline and also two new alkaloids, epi-19 ibogaine or (19R) 19-hydroxyibogaine and epi-19 iboxygaline or (19R) 19-hydroxyibogaline. The absolute configuration at C₁₉ of these new alkaloids and other alkaloids hydroxylated on 19 of the Iboga type is discussed.     

Alkaloid variability in Leucojum aestivum from wild populations

Leucojum aestivum (summer snowflake) is a plant species used for the extraction of galanthamine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Extracts from bulbs collected from 18 Bulgarian populations and from shoot-clumps obtained in vitro from 8 different populations showed variations in their alkaloid composition. Nineteen alkaloids were detected in the studied samples by GC-MS. Typically, the alkaloid fractions of L. aestivum bulbs were dominated by galanthamine type compounds, but lycorine, haemanthamine and homolycorine type alkaloids were also found as dominant compounds in some of the samples. Extracts from the shoot-clumps obtained in vitro were found to contain galanthamine or lycorine as main alkaloids. The galanthamine content ranged from 28 to 2104 microg/g dry weight in the bulbs, and from traces to 454 microg/g dry weight in the shoot-clumps.     

Alkaloids from Isopyrum thalictroides L

Three new bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, isopyruthaldine, isopythaldine and isothalmidine, containing new type of bridges were isolated from roots and rhizomes of Isopyrum thalictroides. The known isoquinoline alkaloids, reticuline, isocorydine. columbamine and palmatine, obtained from the aerial parts, are new for the genus Isopyrum. All structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis.     

Contribution of ergot alkaloids to suppression of a grass-feeding caterpillar assessed with gene knockout endophytes in perennial ryegrass

Neotyphodium and Epichloë species (Ascomycota: Clavicipitaceae) are fungal symbionts (endophytes) of grasses. Many of these endophytes produce alkaloids that enhance their hosts’ resistance to insects or are toxic to grazing mammals. The goals of eliminating from forage grasses factors such as ergot alkaloids that are responsible for livestock disorders, while retaining pasture sustainability, and of developing resistant turf grasses, require better understanding of how particular alkaloids affect insect herbivores. We used perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne L. (Poaceae) symbiotic with Neotyphodium lolii × Epichloë typhina isolate Lp1 (a natural interspecific hybrid), as well as with genetically modified strains of Lp1 with altered ergot alkaloid profiles, to test effects of ergot alkaloids on feeding, growth, and survival of the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a generalist grass‐feeding caterpillar. Neonates or late instars were provided clippings from glasshouse‐grown plants in choice and rearing trials. Wild‐type endophytic grass showed strong antixenosis and antibiosis, especially to neonates. Plant‐endophyte symbiota from which complex ergot alkaloids (ergovaline and lysergic acid amides such as ergine) or all ergot alkaloids were eliminated by endophyte gene knockout retained significant resistance against neonates. However, this activity was reduced compared to that of wild‐type Lp1, providing the first direct genetic evidence that ergot alkaloids contribute to insect resistance of endophytic grasses. Similarity of larval response to the two mutants suggested that ergovaline and/or ergine account for the somewhat greater potency of wild‐type Lp1 compared to the knockouts, whereas simpler ergot alkaloids contribute little to that added resistance. All of the endophyte strains also produced peramine, which was probably their primary resistance component. This study suggests that ergot alkaloids can be eliminated from an endophyte of perennial ryegrass while retaining significant insect resistance.     

The Alkaloids of Fungi

Examination of different species of local fungi, grown on two nutritive solutions of different composition, for alkaloid formation was investigated. The formation of alkaloids was confined to four species, namely: Geotrichum candidum, Mucor hiemalis, Aspergillus flavus and Rhizopus nigricans. A comparative study of the growth as well as the formation of alkaloids by these species and by Claviceps purpurea NRRL was carried out. Methods were also described with which the different alkaloids produced by the experimental strains were identified. Peptides as well as clavine type alkaloids were detected in all cases except with Mucor hiemalis where a compound corresponding to ergosine was the only alkaloid present.     

Monoterpenoid indole alkaloids from Kopsia hainanensis Tsiang

A phytochemical investigation on the twigs and leaves of Kopsia hainanensis Tsiang resulted in the isolation and identification of 18 alkaloids, including two sarpagine type alkaloids (1 and 2), five eburnane type alkaloids (3–7), three aspidofractinine type alkaloids (8–10), one vincadine type alkaloid (11), three akuammiline type alkaloids (12–13 and 15), one corynanthean type alkaloid (14), two ajmalicine-like type alkaloids (16 and 17), and one aspidospermine type alkaloid (18). The new structure of compound 1 was elucidated by means of spectroscopic analysis, including HRESIMS, and 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Compounds 1–2, 4–5, 7, and 10–17 are herein reported for the first time from this plant, while the compounds 1, 2, 7, and 12–17 have not been previously recorded in the Kopsia genus. The chemotaxonomic significance and distribution of these monoterpenoid indole alkaloids in Kopsia genus are discussed.     

Alstiphyllanines I-O, ajmaline type alkaloids from Alstonia macrophylla showing vasorelaxant activity

Seven new ajmaline type alkaloids, alstiphyllanines I-O (1-7) were isolated from the leaves of Alstonia macrophylla together with six related alkaloids (8-13). Structures and stereochemistry of 1-7 were fully elucidated and characterized by 2D NMR analysis. A series of alstiphyllanines I-O (1-7) as well as the known ajmaline type alkaloids (8-13) showed that they relaxed phenylephrine (PE)-induced contractions against rat aortic ring. Among them, vincamedine (10) showed potent vasorelaxant activity, which may be mediated through inhibition of Ca(2+) influx through voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels (VDCs) and/or receptor-operated Ca(2+) channels (ROCs) as well as partially mediated the NO release from endothelial cells. The presence of substituents at both N-1 and C-17 may be important to show vasorelaxation activity.     

Studies on Alkaloids of Cephalotaxus sinensis (Rehd et Will.)Li

Seven alkaloids were isolated from Cephalotaxus sinensis (Rehd. et Wils.) Li and were identified by elements analysis, melting point and spectral data. Six of them are known alkaloids: cephalotaxine (Ⅰ), Ⅱ-hydroxyeephalotaxine (Ⅱ), drupaeine (Ⅲ), demethylcephalotaxinone (Ⅳ), c-3epi-witsonine (Ⅴ) and wilsonine (Ⅵ). Cephalo- taxine is the major alkaloid of this plant. (Ⅰ–Ⅳ) are alkaloid of Cephalotaxus type and another two (Ⅴ–Ⅵ) are alkaloid of homoerythrina type. (Ⅶ) seems to be a new alkaloid. Its strueture will be studied further.     

Sativanine-a and sativanine-b,two new cyclopeptide alkaloids from the bark of Zizyphus sativa

From the bark of Zizyphus sativa, in addition to already described cyclopeptide alkaloids, two new compounds of this class, sativanine-A(1) and sativanine-B(2), were isolated. Both alkaloids contain 14-membered ring systems. 1 belongs to the integerrine type, while 2 is similar to nummularine-G, with an additional ring in the side chain.     

Acquisition, transformation and maintenance of plant pyrrolizidine alkaloids by the polyphagous arctiid Grammia geneura

The polyphagous arctiid Grammia geneura appears well adapted to utilize for its protection plant pyrrolizidine alkaloids of almost all known structural types. Plant-acquired alkaloids that are maintained through all life-stages include various classes of macrocyclic diesters (typically occurring in the Asteraceae tribe Senecioneae and Fabaceae), macrocyclic triesters (Apocynaceae) and open-chain esters of the lycopsamine type (Asteraceae tribe Eupatorieae, Boraginaceae and Apocynaceae). As in other arctiids, all sequestered and processed pyrrolizidine alkaloids are maintained as non-toxic N-oxides. The only type of pyrrolizidine alkaloids that is neither sequestered nor metabolized are the pro-toxic otonecine-derivatives, e.g. the senecionine analog senkirkine that cannot be detoxified by N-oxidation. In its sequestration behavior, G. geneura resembles the previously studied highly polyphagous Estigmene acrea. Both arctiids are adapted to exploit pyrrolizidine alkaloid-containing plants as "drug sources". However, unlike E. acrea, G. geneura is not known to synthesize the pyrrolizidine-derived male courtship pheromone, hydroxydanaidal, and differs distinctly in its metabolic processing of the plant-acquired alkaloids. Necine bases obtained from plant acquired pyrrolizidine alkaloids are re-esterified yielding two distinct classes of insect-specific ester alkaloids, the creatonotines, also present in E. acrea, and the callimorphines, missing in E. acrea. The creatonotines are preferentially found in pupae; in adults they are largely replaced by the callimorphines. Before eclosion the creatonotines are apparently converted into the callimorphines by trans-esterification. Open-chain ester alkaloids such as the platynecine ester sarracine and the orchid alkaloid phalaenopsine, that do not possess the unique necic acid moiety of the lycopsamine type, are sequestered by larvae but they need to be converted into the respective creatonotines and callimorphines by trans-esterification in order to be transferred to the adult stage. In the case of the orchid alkaloids, evidence is presented that during this processing the necine base (trachelanthamidine) is converted into its 7-(R)-hydroxy derivative (turneforcidine), indicating the ability of G. geneura to introduce a hydroxyl group at C-7 of a necine base. The creatonotines and callimorphines display a striking similarity to plant necine monoesters of the lycopsamine type to which G. geneura is well adapted. The possible function of insect-specific trans-esterification in the acquisition of necine bases derived from plant acquired alkaloids, especially from those that cannot be maintained through all life-stages, is discussed.     

细茎石斛拟原球茎生长与有效成分积累的关系

目的 :研究细茎石斛拟原球茎生长规律及其与两种有效成分总生物碱和可溶性多糖积累的关系。方法 :采用液体静止培养方法培养细茎石斛拟原球茎 ,在一个周期 ( 60天 )内 ,每隔 1 0天取样 ,测定拟原球茎的鲜、干重 ,总生物碱含量和可溶性多糖含量。结果 :液体培养的细茎石斛拟原球茎生长曲线大致呈“S”型 ,拟原球茎经过 1 0d左右的延迟期后进入对数生长期 ,第 5 0d左右达到生长高峰 ,此后 ,生长缓慢 ,进入静止期。拟原球茎中总生物碱和可溶性多糖含量随着拟原球茎的生长逐渐积累 ,在培养的第 40d左右达到高峰 ,之后含量有所下降 ,这两种有效成分的积累与生长基本同步 ,且拟原球茎中两种有效成分的含量接近或超过野生植株茎中的含量。结论 :液体培养的细茎石斛拟原球茎生长曲线大致呈“S”型 ,总生物碱和可溶性多糖的积累与生长基本同步 ,且拟原球茎中两种有效成分的含量接近或超过野生植株茎中的含量     

Effect of isoquinoline alkaloids on soybean lipoxygenase activity in vitro

Novel isoquinoline alkaloids were evaluated for their effect on the kinetics of a soybean lipoxygenase type I using linoleic acid as substrate. Some of these alkaloids were found to increase the initial reaction velocity, this property seems related to phenolic groups present in the molecule. The effect of these compounds on the soybean lipoxygenase activity was compared to that of others products which are known to affect this reaction. A reaction mechanism is then proposed : it appeared, in this reaction a correlative structure-activity of phenolic compounds were tested.     

HPTLC and GC/MS Study of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids of Two Narcissus Species

In this article, we report on the alkaloid profile and dynamic of alkaloid content and diversity in two Narcissus plants at different stages of development. The alkaloid profile of the two Narcissus species was investigated by GC/MS and HPTLC. Fifty eight Amaryllidaceae alkaloids were detected, and 25 of them were identified in the different organs of N. tazetta and N. papyraceus. The alkaloid 3‐O‐methyl‐9‐O‐demethylmaritidine is tentatively identified here for the first time from the Amaryllidaceae family, and four alkaloids (tazettamide, sternbergine, 1‐O‐acetyllycorine, 2,11‐didehydro‐2‐dehydroxylycorine) are tentatively identified for the first time in the genus Narcissus. The different organs of the two species analyzed showed remarkable differences in their alkaloid pattern, type of biosynthesis, main alkaloid and number of alkaloids. Lycorine‐type alkaloids dominated the alkaloid, metabolism in N. papyraceus, while alkaloids of narciclasine‐, galanthamine‐ and homolycorine‐types were found only in the species N. tazetta L.     

Alkaloids of callus tissues and redifferentiated plantlets in the papaveraceae

The callus tissues from 11 representative species of the Papaveraceae and the redifferentiated plantlets from four species were successfully derived and maintained. The alkaloids in the callus tissues and redifferentiated plantlets were examined in comparison with those of the original plants. All the callus tissues are similar in their alkaloid chemistry and contain benzophenanthridine, protopine and aporphine type alkaloids. By contrast, the plantlets have a more specific alkaloid pattern, being similar in content to the original plants.