Serpine-a new isomeride of yohimbine isolated from Rauwolfia serpentina Benth.

The alkaloids of Rauwolfia serpentina benth

Abstract: Rauwolfia is an important genus of the plant family Apocynaceae. There are nearly one hundred and twenty‐five species of Rauwolfia which are distributed all over the tropical regions of the world (1‐8). The most important member of the genus is R. serpentina Benth; the crude drug was known to the ancient Indians as a useful febrifuge (8), a remedy for snake bite, and as a cure for dysentery. In more recent times it has been used for insomnia, hypochondria and insanity. The presence of alkaloidal principles in R. serpentina was first pointed out in 1890 by Greshoff (9). In 1933, Chopra, Gupta, and Mukherjee (10) reported the hypotensive activity of the material extracted from the plant and in 1931 Siddiqui and Siddiqui (11) isolated a series of crystalline alkaloids from R. serpentina. Active chemical and pharmacological interest in R. serpentina has resulted in the discovery of several new alkaloids (Table I). The isolation by Muller, Schlittler, and Bein (12) of reserpine, an alkaloid with pronounced hypotensive and sedative activity, has lent further impetus to the pharmacological and chemical study of the alkaloids of R. serpentha. A brief summary of the chemical aspects of R. serpentina will be presented in this review.

Alkaloids of the Apocynaceae.

Abstract: Of the 200 alkaloids in the relatively well-studied Apocynaceae, only 75 have had sufficient chemical investigation to permit their structural identity. Nonetheless, certain correlations are discernible and may be used by the plant chemist as first approximations of the types of materials he may expect in the analysis of previously unstudied genera.

Chapter 13 Rauwolfia Alkaloids with Special Reference to the Chemistry of Reserpine

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter describes Rauwolfia alkaloids with special reference to the chemistry of reserpine. Rauwolfia products have become important therapeutic agents, both as sedatives and antihypertensives. Although their production and use have fallen off since the peak years of 1955 and 1956, it is estimated that their total sales a t the consumers' level in 1961 still amounted to $100 million in the United States alone. Since 1952, the year reserpine was first isolated, several thousand articles have been published on the isolation, chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical aspects of reserpine and other Rauwolfia alkaloids, and today these investigations are still being pursued. Botanists estimate the number of identified Rauwolfia species to be about 50, of which R. serpentina, R. canescens, R. vomitoria, and R. ligustrina have been investigated in detail. Only the first three species are important from the standpoint of supplies of therapeutically useful alkaloids; the last species is not especially rich in reserpine, but has nevertheless been investigated in great detail. The Indian plant, R. serpentina, has lost much of its importance (except for local production), as its reserpine content (0.1%) is only about half that of R. vomitoria, which is at present the most important species. It grows so plentifully in Central Africa, especially in the Congo, that cultivation is not necessary. It is considerably taller than R. serpentina, and procedures have been developed by Congolese collectors by which the smaller side roots may be cut periodically without loss of the tree.

β-Yohimbin aus den Wurzeln von Rauwolfia canescens L. 6. Mitteilung über Rauwolfia-Alkaloide

Abstract: Es wird die Isolierung von β-Yohimbin aus den Wurzeln von Rauwolfia canescens L. beschrieben.

Reserpin, der sedative Wirkstoff ausRauwolfia serpentina Benth

Abstract: The sedative principle ofRauwolfia serpentina Benth. has been isolated in pure crystalline form and its chemistry and pharmacology has been studied.

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.

Über das Alkaloid Serpentin aus Rauwolfia serpentina Benth

Abstract: Die Darstellung des Alkaloids Serpentin aus den Wurzeln von Rauwolfia serpentina Benth. wurde neu ausgearbeitet, und es wurden nach dem neuen Verfahren grossere Mengen Serpentin dargestellt. Die Base wurde durch Salze charakterisiert und die Summenformel neu zu C21H22O3N2 bestimmt. Durch Selendehydrierung, Verseifung und Vergleich des UV.-Spektrums mit bekannten Spektren wurde die Konstitution des Serpentins teilweise abgeklart.

Sarpagin, ein neues Alkaloid aus Rauwolfia serpentina Benth

Abstract: Es wird die Isolierung eines neuen Alkaloids aus Rauwolfia serpentina Benth. beschrieben. Das schwach basische Alkaloid, das mit Sarpagin bezeichnet wurde, besitzt die Bruttoformel C19H22O2N2 und bildet mit Sauren bestandige kristallisierte Salze von der Zusammensetzung C19H22O2N2, HX.