Simple indole alkaloids and those with a nonrearranged monoterpenoid unit

A mild, general method for conversion of esters to amides

In 1955 Shore, Brodie and coworkers (Shore, Silver and Brodie 1955, Pletscher, Shore and Brodie 1955) discovered that reserpine caused a marked decrease in the concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in tissues and a concomitant rise in the urinary excretion of the 5-HT metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. The deep physiological significance of this discovery became even more evident when reserpine soon afterwards was found to affect tissue catecholamines in a similar manner, an effect leading to block of adrenergic transmission mechanisms (Carlsson and Hillarp 1956a, Bertler, Carlsson and Rosengren 1956). Since then numerous papers have appeared, in which the effects of Rauwolfia alkaloids and a group of similarly acting benzoquinolizines (Pletscher, Besendorf and Bachtold 1958) have been further analyzed. Particular interest has been focussed on the mechanism of action on the abovementioned amines and on the relationship between this action and the various pharmacological effects of Rauwolfia alkaloids and benzoquinolizines. It is the aim of the present Chapter to review and discuss the pertinent literature dealing with these fundamental problems rather than to review in detail the enormous literature on the pharmacology of these agents.

Drugs which block the storage of 5-hydroxytryptamine and related amines

The total synthesis of reserpine

Tabernaemontana L. (Apocynaceae): A review of its taxonomy, phytochemistry, ethnobotany and pharmacology☆

Reserpine, C33H40O9N2, has been isolated from Rauwolfia serpentina Benth. Reserpine is an ester alkaloid yielding reserpic acid, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid and methanol on hydrolysis. Degradation products of reserpic acid make it likely that reserpic acid is a yohimbane derivate, and a hypothetical structure for reserpine has been put forward which is in agreement with the facts known so far.

Die Konstitution des Reserpins. 8. Mitteilung über Rauwolfia-Alkaloide

Some Hypotensive Amino Steroid Glycosides1

Rauwolfia Alkaloids. XIX.1 The Constitution of Deserpidine and Reserpine

Chemistry of rauwolfia alkaloids, including reserpine

Rauwolfia Alkaloids. XXXI.1 The Synthesis and Activity of Some Reserpine Analogs2

H. B. MacPhillamy

Papers

Die Konstitution des Reserpins. 8. Mitteilung über Rauwolfia-Alkaloide

Some Hypotensive Amino Steroid Glycosides1

Rauwolfia Alkaloids. XIX.1 The Constitution of Deserpidine and Reserpine

Chemistry of rauwolfia alkaloids, including reserpine

Rauwolfia Alkaloids. XXXI.1 The Synthesis and Activity of Some Reserpine Analogs2