DESMODIUMALKALOIDS1

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Abstract
Four β–phenethylamines (I–IV), five indole–3–alkylamines (V, IX–XII), together with indole–3–acetic acid, trigonelline (VII), stachydrine (VIII), betaine, and choline have been isolated and identified from the roots of Desmodium triflorum DC. The identity of the compounds was established by chemical transformations and spectral (UV, IR, NMR, Mass) evidence. The stems and leaves of the plant contain essentially the same alkaloids and only quantitative difference in the relative abundance of the individual constituents was observed. The accumulation of the varied alkaloid patterns, in about half a dozen Desmodium species, is interpreted in terms of the ,divergence' phenomenon which is common in the family Leguminosae. The total alkaloids (CHCl3–solubles), from the roots, produced a number of significant pharmacological actions, e. g., antispasmodic, sympathomimetic, CNS stimulant, and curarimimetic, which are consistent with the reported uses of the plant in the indigenous system of medicine.

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