Leaf Alkaloids of Rauwolfia cumminsii Stapf.

Abstract

The leaves of Rauwolfia cumminsii Stapf yield at least 12 indole alkaloids. Two E–seco indole alkaloids (corynantheol and corynantheal), seven ajmalantype dihydroindole alkaloids (endolobine, norpurpeline, dihydronorpurpeline, normitoridine, norseredamine, nortetraphyllicine and seredamine–17–O–(3', 4', 5') trimethoxybenzoate), two sarpagan alkaloids (normacusine B–O–methyl and an incompletely characterised compound) and the indoline alkaloid picrinine were isolated. The apparent scarcity of Namethylated indoline alkaloids in the plant may prove to be significant.