Page 90 - phytochemistry general program

The most prominent examples are: .1
The rauwolfia alkaloids (mainly reserpine). .2
The yohimba alkaloids (mainly yohimbine), and .3
The peganum harmala alkaloids (mainly harmine and harmaline).

The alkaloids of this group are more correctly considered as -carboline
derivatives, rather than indole derivatives as they constitute a pyridine ring fused to

an indole skeleton.
species, a number of -carboline Yohimbe and some Rauwolfia From

alkaloids were isolated and identified (during the past 50 years).

Peganum harmala alkaloids .1

Harmine and harmaline

N N
N
H3CO N H3CO
H CH3
H CH3
Harmaline
Harmine

Harmine and harmaline (5, 6 dihydroharmine) occurs in the seeds of harmal
(Peganum harmala) family Nitrariaceae to the extent of 2-7%.

Test for identification

Marquis reagent gives an orange color with harmine and yellow brownish
grey color with harmaline.

Uses

Harmine and harmaline in small doses exert a tranquillizing effect, while in
large doses they may produce hallucination.

Yohimba alkaloids .2

Yohimbine (Aphrodine)

Occurrence

Yohimbine occurs in the barks of the West African tree Pausinystalia
yohimbe = Coryanthe yohimba, family Rubiaceae.

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