Quinolizidine alkaloids from the curare adjuvant Clathrotropis glaucophylla

Phytochemistry. 2002 Dec;61(8):975-8. doi: 10.1016/s0031-9422(02)00394-1.

Abstract

The bark of Clathrotropis glaucophylla (Fabaceae) is used as admixture of curare arrow poison by the Yanomami; Amerindians in Venezuela. A new quinolizidine alkaloid (QA), (-)-13alpha-hydroxy-15alpha-(1-hydroxyethyl)-anagyrine [(-)-clathrotropine], was isolated from the alkaloid extract of C. glaucophylla bark, together with eleven known QAs: (-)-anagyrine, (-)-thermopsine, (-)-baptifoline, (-)-epibaptifoline, (-)-rhombifoline, (-)-tinctorine, (-)-cytisine, (-)-N-methylcytisine, (-)-lupanine, (-)-6alpha-hydroxylupanine and (+)-5,6-dehydrolupanine. The isolation and structure elucidation were performed with the aid of chromatographic (TLC, HPLC and CC) and spectroscopic (UV and 1D/2D NMR) methods, and mass spectrometry. To our knowledge, this is the first time quinolizidine alkaloids have been isolated from an arrow poison ingredient. It is also the first report on Clathrotropis species being used for preparation of arrow poison.

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / chemistry*
  • Alkaloids / isolation & purification*
  • Fabaceae / chemistry*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Molecular Structure
  • Poisons / chemistry
  • Quinolizines / chemistry*
  • Quinolizines / isolation & purification*
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Poisons
  • Quinolizines