RESUMO
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.
RESUMO
From cell suspension cultures of Rauwolfia serpentina grown in an optimized production medium for the glucoalkaloid raucaffricine, a novel glucoalkaloid was isolated and identified as 17-O-acetyl-21-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-ajmaline (acetylrauglucine). This alkaloid is formed in very small amounts (less than 5 x 10(-4)%). The biogenetically related N alpha-demethylated base (acetyl-nor-rauglucine) and the deacetyl product rauglucine have also been detected in culture extracts. In addition 21(R)-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-hydroxy-sarpagan-17-al has been isolated and identified as an artifact which originates from raucaffricine.