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Published on: June 12, 2026
Alkaloids from Rauwolfia cubana Stem Bark.
J A Martinez1, C Gomez, T Santana
1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Havana, San Làzaro y L, Ciudad de la Havana 4, Cuba.
Planta Medica
|June 1, 1989
Summary
Researchers isolated six indole alkaloids from the stem bark of Rauwolfia cubana, including two new compounds, amerovolfine and amerovolficine. Their structures were determined using spectroscopic analysis.
Area of Science:
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Phytochemistry
- Organic Chemistry
Background:
- Rauvolfia cubana is a plant species known for its potential medicinal properties.
- Indole alkaloids are a diverse class of natural products with significant pharmacological activities.
- The chemical constituents of Rauvolfia species are of interest for drug discovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize indole alkaloids from the stem bark of Rauvolfia cubana.
- To identify novel alkaloid compounds and elucidate their chemical structures.
Main Methods:
- Extraction of plant material using ethanol.
- Isolation of compounds using chromatographic techniques.
- Structure elucidation using spectroscopic methods (e.g., NMR, Mass Spectrometry).
Main Results:
- Six indole alkaloids were successfully isolated: tetrahydroalstonine, aricine, 16-epi-affinine, ajmaline, amerovolfine, and amerovolficine.
- Amerovolfine (N(alpha)-demethylaccedine) and amerovolficine (16-demethoxy-carbonylpagicerine) were identified as new alkaloids.
- The structures of the new alkaloids were confirmed through comprehensive spectroscopic analysis.
Conclusions:
- The ethanolic extract of Rauvolfia cubana stem bark is a rich source of indole alkaloids.
- The discovery of novel alkaloids amerovolfine and amerovolficine expands the known chemical diversity of this plant genus.
- Further investigation into the biological activities of these isolated alkaloids is warranted.
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