Novel amide alkaloids from the roots of Piper guineense

Two novel amide alkaloids, wisanine and wisanidine, have been isolated from the petroleum-extract of the roots of Piper guineense, and found to be N-piperidyl-5 (2-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyphenyl)-trans-2-trans-4-pentadienamide and N-pyrrolidyl-5-(2-methoxy-4, 5-methylenedioxyphenyl)-trans-2-trans-4-pentadienamide respectively. The structure of wisanidine has been confirmed by synthesis. N-Isobutyl)-trans-2-trans-4-eicosadienamide, recently reported to be present in the fruits of the plant as well as Piperine and Δ^α,β-dihydropiperine have also been found to be major constituents of the roots.