Page 102 - Phytochemistry 2 (06-PG 605)

Typical Steroidal Structure (Rubijervine)

E N

CD

AB HO

HO

Veratramine

Atypical Steroidal Alkaloid

(C-nor, D-homo Steroidal Structure)

From the formulas it is clear that some of these alkamines are

typical steroids (rubijervine and isorubijervine). While the others (jervine

and veratramine) are atypical steroids (they are C-Nor D-homo

steroids).

Examples of ester alkaloids of the second type are protoveratrine A&B,

cevadine, cevacine and veratridine. The alkaloid protoveratrine A is the

3,6,7,15 tetraester of the alkamine protoverine.

N

OH

O5 OH
HO OH

OH
OH

OH OH

Protoverine

These complex ester alkaloids are the physiologically active
medicinally valuable alkaloids of Veratrum. They are applied as
hypotensive agents, and are often used in combination with Rauwolfia

alkaloids.

They are used in the form of pure alkaloidal salts e.g. protoveratrine

A&B or purified alkaloidal extracts or even in the form of the crude drug

(rhizomes or roots).

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