R. Lucas

Bio: R. Lucas is an academic researcher from Ciba Specialty Chemicals. The author has contributed to research in topics: Rauwolfia alkaloid & Alkyl. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 11 publications receiving 219 citations.

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

Abstract: 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.

On the constitution of reserpine.

Abstract: Durch alkalische Hydrolyse wird Reserpin in Reserpinsaure, 3,4,5-Trimethoxybenzoesaure und Methanol gespalten. Das Esteralkaloid liess sich aus diesen Spaltstucken wieder resynthetisieren.

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

Abstract: 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.