The Asian species of strychnos. Part IV. The alkaloids.

Abstract

Two hundred thirty-four samples from thirty-six Asian species of Strychnos have been screened for the presence of tertiary alkaloids; the data are set out in table 1. Thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatographic as well as mass-spectrometric studies have enabled alkaloids to be identified in many of the extracts prepared; the data are listed in table 2. The literature on the alkaloids and pharmacology of Asian Strychnos species is reviewed (altogether 99 plant names are considered) and compared with the findings obtained in the present work. The alkaloid economy of the plants is also discussed.