Homodecoupled 1,1- and 1,n-ADEQUATE: Pivotal NMR Experiments for the Structure Revision of Cryptospirolepine.

Cryptospirolepine is the most structurally complex alkaloid discovered and characterized thus far from any Cryptolepis specie. Characterization of several degradants of the original, sealed NMR sample a decade after the initial report called the validity of the originally proposed structure in question. We now report the development of improved, homodecoupled variants of the 1,1- and 1,n-ADEQUATE (HD-ADEQUATE) NMR experiments; utilization of these techniques was critical to successfully resolving long-standing structural questions associated with crytospirolepine.

Ergot and its alkaloids.

This manuscript reviews the history and pharmacognosy of ergot, and describes the isolation/preparation, chemistry, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics of the major ergot alkaloids and their derivatives. A brief discussion of the hallucinogenic properties of lysergic acid diethylamide is also featured. An abbreviated form of the material found in this paper is presented in a 4-hour didactic format to third-professional year PharmD students as part of their study of vascular migraine headaches, Parkinson's disease, and naturally occurring hallucinogens/hallucinogen derivatives in the modular course offering Neurology/Psychiatry.

The development of USP botanical dietary supplement monographs, 1995-2005.

The development of USP botanical dietary supplement monographs by the Subcommittee on Natural Products (1995-2000) and the Dietary Supplements-Botanicals Committee of Experts (2000-2005) of the USP is described in this review. Featured details include the USP as an organization, focusing upon its history, mission, and publication of the United States Pharmacopeia-National Formulary (USP-NF); the formulation and composition of botanical dietary supplement monographs and related general chapters, as well as appropriate admission criteria; and a summary of the accomplishments of the Committees (1995-2005).

In vitro activity of Triclisia patens and some bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids against Leishmania donovani and Trypanosoma brucei brucei.

In the search for antiprotozoal compounds from natural sources, Triclisia patens displayed activity against L. donovani promastigotes (IC(50) = 1.5 microg/mL) and T. b. brucei blood stream trypomastigote forms (IC(50) = 31.25 microg/mL). In addition, a total of 20 bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids were screened for antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activity in vitro. Fangchinoline (IC(50) = 0.39 microM) was found to be as active as the standard pentamidine against Leishmania donovani promastigotes. Phaeanthine was three-fold more active (IC(50) = 2.41 microM; 1.5 microg/mL) than the standard drug Pentostam against L. donovani amastigotes, but at this concentration was toxic to murine macrophages. In contrast, cocsoline (IC(50) = 12.3 microM; 6.76 microg/mL) was as active as Pentostam, and was not toxic to macrophages at this concentration. Thalisopidine showed the strongest activity (IC(50) = 1.14 microM) against Trypanosoma brucei brucei blood stream form trypomastigotes, but was less active than pentamidine.

Alkaloids of Thalictrum angustifolium.

Fractionation and chromatography of the ethanolic extract of the roots of Thalictrum angustifolium L. (Ranunculaceae) afforded five alkaloids: noroxyhydrastinine (1), O-methylthalicberine (2), berberine iodide (3), jatrorrhizine iodide (4), magnoflorine iodide (5). In addition, one simple aromatic compound, methyl-4-hydroxybenzoate (6), was also isolated. These compounds were identified via comparison of their spectral data with authentic compounds or spectra available within our laboratory. This is the first reported isolation of these compounds from this species.