Investigation of the Alkaloid Content of Rauwolfia serpentina Roots from Regenerated Plants.

The indole alkaloid content of RAUWOLFIA SERPENTINA roots from regenerated plants (from stem-and root-callus) was compared with the parental stock. Although the total alkaloid content seems to be slightly higher in the roots from regenerated plants, HPLC-analysis of individual alkaloids indicated that the contents of the alkaloids ajmaline ( 1), serpentine ( 2), and reserpine ( 3) are lower than in the roots of the parental stock. The glucoalkaloid raucaffricine ( 4) was identified as a constituent of all samples, thus providing the first evidence for its occurrence in roots of RAUWOLFIA SERPENTINA.