THE ACTIVE PRINCIPLES OFALHAGI PSEUDALHAGI:β–PHENETHYLAMINE AND TETRAHYDROISOQUINOLINE BASES

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Abstract
From the stems of Alhagi pseudalhagi (Bieb.) Desv. (Leguminosae, Lotoidae), seven β-phenethylamines and one tetrahydro-isoquinoline were isolated. The compounds were identified by m.p. of the parent compounds and their derivatives, where possible, co–TLC with authentic markers, and spectral properties. The alkaloids are β-phenethylamine (I), N–methyl-β-phenethylamine (II), N–methyl-tyramine (III), hordenine (TV), 3:4–dihydroxy-β-phenethyltrimethylammonium hydroxide (V), 3–methoxy–4–hydroxy-β-phenethyltrimethylammonium hydroxide (VI), N–methylmescaline (VII), and salsolidine (VIII). This is the first report of occurrence of (VI) in nature and of any 3,4,5–trioxygenated β-phenethylamine, e.g., (VII), in the family Leguminosae. The roots afforded essentially the same alkaloids as the stems but in different quantities. The phylogenetic significance of the cooccurrence of the eight alkaloids in a single plant species, A. pseudalhagi, is appraised in the light of „parallelism” and complexities involved. Detailed pharmacological screening of the total alkaloids from the stems were conducted which showed essentially sympathomimetic activity. The results would further seem to indicate that the therapeutic properies ascribed to the plant extracts are due to the contained alkaloids.

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