ALKALOIDS

ALKALOIDAL AMINES:

EPHEDRA

1. Synonyms:
Ma Huang.

2. Biological Source:
Ephedra consists of the dried aerial parts of Ephedra gerardiana Wall, Ephedra sinica
Stapf, Ephedra equisetina Bunge, Ephedra nebrodensis Tineo and other Ephedra
species, belonging to family Ephadreaceae.

3. Geographical Source:
It is mainly found in China, India, Nepal, Turkey, Pakistan and Bhutan.

4. Cultivation and Collection:

It is an evergreen shrub growing to 0.6 m by 2 m. The plant prefers light (sandy) and
medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and
basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can
tolerate drought. Seeds are sown as soon as they are ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse. It
can also be sown in spring in a greenhouse in sandy compost. Seedlings are transferred into
individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grown them for at least their
first winter in a greenhouse. Drug is collected in autumn since it contains maximum
percentage of alkaloids. Green slender twigs are collected in autumn, dried and packed
loose in bags. Sometimes the twigs are pressed tightly.

5. Characteristics:

 Ephedra gerardiana:
It consists of cylindrical woody stem that is grey or greenish in colour. Nodes,
internodes, scaly leaves and terminal buds are present in the stems. The distance
between the internodes is 3–4 cm and the nodes bare the scaly leaves. They are
bitter in taste. The plant has stamens and pistils on separate flowers; staminate
flowers in catkins and a membraneous perianth, pistillate flowers terminal on
axillary stalks, within a two-leaved involucre. Fruit has two carpels with a single
 seed in each and is a succulent cone, branches slender and erect, small leaves,
scale-like, articulated and joined at the base into a sheath.

 Ephedra sinica:
Thickness of the stem is 4–7 mm branches are 1–2 mm. Length up to 30 cm of
branches and 3–6 cm of internodes. The main stem is brown in colour. Leaves are
2–4 mm long, opposite, decussate and subulate. Leaf, base is reddish-brown, apex
acute and recurved and lamina white in colour. A pair of sheathing leaves present
at the nodes, encircling the stem and fused at the base,
 Ephedra equisetina:
Stems are woodier and more branched 1.5–2 mm. Length 25–200 cm of
branches and 1–2.5 cm of internodes, outer surface is grey to pale green and
smooth.
 Ephedra nebrodensis:
The stems are 15–35 cm in length; 1–2 mm thick, cylindrical, greenish-yellow in
color, nodes are brownish and distinct and fractured surface is fibrous in the cortex
but pith contains brownish powdery mass. The leaves are brownish to whitish-
brown in color, scaly, connate, opposite and decussate, acute, agreeable and
slightly aromatic odor and taste is astringent and bitter.

6. Chemical Constituents:
Ephedra contains alkaloids Ephedrine (water-soluble salt of an alkaloid),
Pseudoephedrine (analog of ephedrine), Norpseudoephedrine (An analog of ephedrine).
The leaves and stems of ephedra also contain many potentially active compounds, such as
tannins, saponin, flavone and volatile oils.
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Chemical Test:
To the drug (10 mg) in water (1 ml) dilute HCl (0.2 ml), copper sulphate solution (0.1
ml) and sodium hydroxide solution (2 ml) are added; the liquid turns violet. On adding
solvent ether (2 ml) and shaking vigorously, the ethereal layer turns purple and the
aqueous layer becomes blue.
 8. Uses:
Ephedrine is antiallergenic, antiasthmatic, antispasmodic, decongestant, cough
suppressant, stimulant and vasoconstrictor. Pseudoephedrine is decongestant, cough
suppressant and nor pseudoephedrine is peripheral vasodilator used to treat angina. As a
whole it is decongestant; it opens sinuses, increases sweating, dilates bronchioles
(antiasthmatic use), diuretic, CNS stimulant, raises blood pressure, alleviates aches and
rheumatism, alleviates hay fever/colds, etc.

COLCHICUM

1. Synonyms:
Autumn Crocus, Cigdem, Colquico, Meadow Saffron, Naked Boys, European Colchicum
Seed.
2. Biological Source:
Colchicum consists of dried ripe seeds and corms of Colchi-cum autumnale Linn.,
belonging to family Liliaceae.
3. Geographical Source:
It is mainly found in Central and South Europe, Germany, Greece, Spain, Turkey and
England.
4. Characteristics:
Seeds are 2–3 mm in diameter, globular. Outer Surface is dark reddish-brown, pitted,
very hard. Endosperm is large, hard and oily. It is odourless; bitter and acrid in taste. The
corm or root is usually sold in transverse slices, notched on one side and somewhat
reniform in outline, white and starchy internally, about 1/8 inch thick and varying from 3/4
to 1 inch in diameter. Taste sweetish, then bitter and acrid and odour radish-like in fresh
root, but lost in drying.
5. Cultivation and Collection:
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires
well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in
semi shade or no shade. It requires moist soil. Seed are sown as soon as it is ripe in early
summer in a seed bed or a cold frame. Germination can be very slow, taking up to 18
 months at 15°C. It is best to sow the seed thinly so that it is not necessary to transplant the
seedlings for their first year of growth. Liquid fertilizers are applied during their first
summer to ensure they get sufficient nourishment. Seedlings are taken out once they are
dormant, putting perhaps two plants per pot, and allowed to grow them in a greenhouse or
frame for at least a couple of years. The seedlings take 4–5 years to reach flowering size.
Division of the bulbs in June/July when the leaves have died down. Larger bulbs can be
planted out direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up the smaller
bulbs and grow them on in a cold frame for a year before planting them out. The plant can
be divided every other year if a quick increase is required
The plant bears leaves and capsular fruits in next spring. From June to July brown fruits are
collected and placed in muslin bags. During ripening seeds become dark in color and arc
covered by a sweet saccharine secretion. Seeds are separated by sifting. Colchicum seeds
are derived from, amphitrophous ovules and have a short raphe. The corms are harvested
in mid to late summer when the plant has fully died down. They are dried and used.
6.Chemical Constituents:
  The active principle is said to be an alkaline substance of a very poisonous nature called
Colchicine. Besides colchicine, demecolcine and other alkaloids are present. They also
contain resin, called colchicoresin, fixed oil, glucose and starch.
 

7. Chemical Test:
Colchicum corm with sulphuric acid (70%) or conc. HCl produces yellow colour due to
the presence of colchicines.
8. Uses:
Both the corm and the seeds are analgesic, antirheumatic, cathartic and emetic. They
are used mainly in the treatment of gout and rheumatic complaints, usually accompanied
with an alkaline diuretic. Leukaemia has been successfully treated with autumn crocus, and
the plant has also been used with some success to treat Bechet’s syndrome, a chronic
disease marked by recurring ulcers and leukaemia. A very toxic plant, it should not be
prescribed for pregnant women or patients with kidney disease, and should only be used
under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.
9. Marketed Products:
It is one of the ingredients of the preparation known as Aujai capsules (Crown Pharma
Exports).

TROPANE ALKALOIDS:

DATURA

1. Synonym:
thorn apple, stinkweed, angel's trumpet, and Jamestown weed.

2. Biological Source:
Datura herb consists of the dried leaves and flowering tops of Datura metel Linn
and Datura metel var. fastuosa belonging to family Solanaceae.

3. Geographical Source:
It is found in India, England and other tropical and sub-tropical countries.
 4. Characteristics:
- Datura metel is also an Indian plant and resembles D. fastuosa; it differs in that the
leaves are heart-shaped, almost entire and downy, and the flowers always white.
- D. metel var. fastuosa is known in commerce as black datura. The leaves are ovate
and more or less angular, the flowers being mostly purplish, sometimes white. Corolla is
double or triple. Outer corolla has five teeth and inner Corolla has six to ten teeth.

5. Chemical Constituents:
Datura herb contains up to 0.5% of total alkaloids, among which hyoscine
(scopolamine) is the main alkaloid, while l-hyoscyamine (scopoline) and atropine are
present in very less quantities.

Scopolamine

6. Chemical Tests:
1. Vitali-Morin test: The tropane alkaloid is treated with fuming nitric acid, followed by
evaporation to dryness and addition of methanolic potassium hydroxide solution to an
acetone solution of nitrated residue. Violet colouration takes place due to tropane
derivative.
2. On addition of silver nitrate solution to solution of hyoscine hydrobromide,
yellowish white precipitate is formed, which is insoluble in nitric acid, but soluble in dilute
ammonia.
7. Uses:
In Ayurveda black datura is considered more efficacious or more toxic. D. metel is used in
the manufacture of hyoscine or scopolamine. It exhibits parasympatholytic with
anticholinergic and CNS depressant effects. The drug is used in cerebral excitement, asthma
and in cough. The Rajpoot mothers are said to smear their breasts with the juice of the D.
metel leaves, to poison their newly born female infants.

8. Marketed Products:
It is one of the ingredients of the preparations known as Jatifaladi Bati, Jatyadi tail
(Baidyanath) and J.P. Massaj oil, Pain kill oil, J.P. Grace oil (Jamuna Pharma).

COCA

1. Synonyms:
Coca leaves, Cuca, Cocaine, Folium cocae, Peruvian coca, Truxillo coca, Java coca, Bolivian
coca.

2. Biological Source:
Coca consists of the dried leaves of various species of Eryth-mxylon, that is,
Erythroxylon coca Lam (Huanco or Bolivian coca) or Erythroxylon coca var. Spruceanum
(Peruvian, Truxillo or Java coca) also known as Erythroxylon truxillense Rusby., belonging to
family Erythroxylaceae.

3. Geographical Source:
It is mainly found in Bolivia, Peru, Indonesia, Ceylon, Java and India.
4.Cultivation:
Coca shrubs grow well in the situations similar to tea plantations. It requires rich, light
and well-drained soil at an altitude of 1,500–6,000 m. Cultivation is carried out by sowing
seeds. Fertilizers have their effects over these plants. In the second year the leaves will be
matured enough to collect in dry weather. The collected leaves are dried in shade and
packed.

5.Characteristics:
-Erythroxylon coca: leaves are brownish-green in colour, oval, entire and glabrous, with a
bitter taste, 3–8 cm long and 1.5–4 cm wide.
- Erythroxylon truxillense: the leaves are much smaller and pale green in colour, elliptical,
entire, glaborous, not glossy, with bitter taste.

6.Chemical Constituents:
Coca leaves contain the alkaloids Cocaine, Annamyl Cocaine, and Truxilline or
Cocamine. Truxillo or Peruvian leaves contain more alkaloid than the Bolivian, though the
latter are preferred for medicinal purposes. Java Coca contains tropacocaine and four
yellow crystalline glucosides in addition to the other constituents.

7.Uses:
The actions of Coca depend principally on the alkaloid Cocaine. Cocaine has stimulant
action on CNS. The leaves are extensively chewed to relieve hunger and fatigue. Coca
alkaloids cause also hallucination. Coca leaves are used as a cerebral and muscle stimulant,
especially during convalescence, to relieve nausea, vomiting and pains of the stomach
without upsetting the digestion. Cocaine also has local anesthetic action on skin and
mucous membrane; and is used as dental anaesthesia and minor local surgery of
ophthalmic, ear, nose and throat. Chemical structure of cocaine has led to several synthetic
annaesthetics like anaesthesia, novocain, stovain, etc.
 8.Adulterant:
Jaborandi leaves are used as an adulterant of Coca leaves.

ASHWAGANDHA

1. Synonyms:
Withania root. Ashwagandha, Clustered Wintercherry.

2. Biological Source:
It consists of the dried roots and stem bases of Withania somnifera Dunal, belonging to
family Solanaceae.

3. Geographical Source:
Withania is widely distributed from southern Europe to India and Africa.

4. Cultivation and Collection:

Withania somnifera are propagated by division, cuttings or seed. Seed is the best way
to propagate them. Seed sown on moist sand will germinate in 14–21 days at 20°C.
Withania somnifera need full sun to partial shade with a well-drained slightly alkaline soil
mix. Plants do best when the soil pH is 7.5–8.0. Soil mix consisting of two parts sandy loam
to one part sand will to better. The plants are allowed to dry thoroughly in between
waterings. In containers, too much water causes root rot. Plants are fertilized once during
the year with a balanced fertilizer.
5. Characteristics:
A low-lying plant, often reaching only 1–2 ft, but occasion-ally 6 ft. It is a perennial, but
can be grown as an annual. Plant and fruits resemble its relatives the ground cherry and
Chinese lantern. Young roots are straight, unbranched and conical and in pieces of different
lengths. Root thickness varies according to age and usually it is 5–12 mm below crown.
Outer surface is buff to yellow and longitudinally wrinkled. Taste is bitter and mucilaginous.

6. Chemical Constituents:
The plants contain the alkaloid withanine as the main constituent and somniferine,
pseudowithanine, tropine and pseudotropine, hygrine, isopellederine, anaferine,
anahygrine and steroid lactones. The leaves contain steroid lactone, commonly known as
withanolides.

7. Uses:
All plant parts are used including the roots, bark, leaves, fruit and seed are used to treat
nervous disorders, intestinal infections and leprosy. Ashwagandha is one of the most
widespread tranquillizers used in India, where it holds a position of importance similar to
ginseng in China. It acts mainly on the reproductive and nervous systems, having a
rejuvenative effect on the body, and is used to improve vitality and aid recovery after
chronic illness. It is also used to treat nervous exhaustion, debility, insomnia, wasting
diseases, failure to thrive in children, impotence, infertility; multiple sclerosis, etc.
Externally it has been applied as a poultice to boils, swellings and other painful parts.
Withania is considered as an adaptogen and so is used in number of diseases.
8. Marketed Products:
It is one of the ingredients of the preparations known as Abana, Geriforte, Mentat,
Mentat syrup, Reosto, Tentex forte, AntiStress Massage Oil, Nourishing Baby Oil, Nourishing
Skin Cream, Anxocare, Galactin Vet, Geriforte Aqua, Geriforte Vet, Immunol, Speman forte
Vet, Tentex forte Vet, Ashvagandha tablet (Himalaya Drug Company), Balarishta
(Baidyanath), Aswagandha tablet (BAPS AMRUT).

INDOLE ALKALOIDS:

RAUWOLFIA

1. Synonyms:
Sarpagandha, Chandrika; Chootachand; Indian snake root.
2. Biological Source:
Rauwolfia consists of dried roots of Rauwolfia serpentina Benth., belonging to family
Apocynaceae.

3. Geographical Source:
It is an erect, evergreen, small shrub native to the Orient and occurs from India to
Sumatra. It is also found in Burma, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Paki-stan and Java. In India it occurs in the sub-Himalayan tracts from Sirhind eastwards to
Assam, especially in Dehradun, Siwalik range, Rohelkhand, Gorakhpur ascending to 1,300
m, east and west ghats of Tamil Nadu, in Bihar (Patna and Bhagalpur), Konkan, Karnataka
and Bengal.
4. Cultivation and Collection:
Rauwolfia grows in tropical forests at an altitude of 1,200– 1,300 m at temperature 10–
40°C. There should be enough rain or irrigation for its cultivation. The soil should be acidic
(pH 4–6), clayey and manure is applied for better crop. Propagation is done by planting
seeds, root cuttings or stem cuttings. Better drug is obtained when the propaga-tion is
carried out with fresh seeds. The plants should be protected from nematodes, fungus and
Mosaic virus.
 The drug is collected mainly from wild plants. Roots and rhizomes are dug out in October–
November when the plant roots are two to four years old. The aerial parts and roots are
separated. The roots are washed and dried in air. The roots containing moisture up to 12%
should be protected from light. Seasonal variation, genetic differences, geographic location,
improper handling and drying, and other factors account for percentage differences in
alkaloid amount. Rauwolfia should be packaged and stored in well-closed containers in a
cool, dry place that is secure against insect attack.

5. Characteristics:
The roots and rhizomes are almost identical in external characters. The drug occurs in
cylindrical or slightly tapering, tortuous pieces, 2–10 cm long, 5–22 mm in diameter. The
roots are rarely branched. Rootlets, 0.5–1 mm in diameter, are rare. The outer surface is
greyish-yellow, light-brown or brown. Young pieces contain slight wrinkles while old pieces
have longitudinal ridges. Circular scars of root-lets are present. Bark exfoliation is present in
old samples leaving behind patches of exposed wood. The fracture is short. A narrow,
yellowish-brown bark and a dense pale-yellow wood are present on the smooth transverse
surface at both the ends. Pieces of rhizome closely resemble the root but may be identified
by a small central pith. They are attached to them with small pieces of aerial stem. Slight
odor is felt in recently dried drug which decreases with age; taste is bitter.

6. Chemical Constituents:
Rauwolfia contains about 0.7–2.4% total alkaloidal bases from which more than 80
alkaloids have been isolated. The prominent alkaloids isolated from the drug are reserpine,
rescinnamine, ψ-reserpine, rescidine, raubescine and deserpidine. The other alkaloidal
components are ajmalinine, ajmaline, ajmalicine (8-yohimbine), serpentine, serpentinine,
tetrahydroreserpine, raubasine, reserpinine, isoajamaline and yohambinine.

The other substances present are phytosterols, fatty acids, unsaturated alcohols and
sugars.
7.Uses:
- Rauwolfia in used as hypnotic, sedative and antihypertensive. It is specific for insanity,
reduces blood pressure and cures pain due to affections of the bowels. It is given in
labours to increase uterine contractions and in certain neuropsychiatric disorders.
Ajmaline, which has pharmacological properties similar to those of quinidine, is marketed
in Japan for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.
- Reserpine is a white or pale buff to slightly yellow, odourless, crystalline powder that
darkens slowly when exposed to light and rapidly when in solution. Reserpine is an
antihypertensive and tranquilizer. Rescinnamine is the methyl reserpate ester of 3,4,5-
trimethoxy cinnamic acid. The usual antihypertensive dose of rescinnamine is 500 μg, two
times a day. Higher doses may cause serious mental depression. Deserpidine is 11-des-
methoxyreserpine. It is a wide-range tranquilizer and antihypertensive and is free from the
side effect

8.Marketed Products:
It is one of the ingredients of the preparations known as Confido, Lukol, Serpina
(Himalaya Drug Company) and Sarpagandhan bati (Baidyanath).
 VINCA

1.Synonyms:
Vinca rosea, Catharanthus, Madagascar periwinkle.

2. Biological Source:
Vinca is the dried entire plant of Catharanthus roseus Linn., belonging to family
Apocynaceae.

3.Geographical Source:
The plant is a native of Madagascar and is found in many tropical and subtropical
countries especially in India, Australia, South Africa and North and South America. The plant
is cultivated as garden plant in Europe and India.

4.Cultivation and Collection:

The plant is perennial and retains its glossy leaves through-out the winter. The plant
prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil.
The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep
woodland) semi shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can
tolerate drought. It is cultivated either by directly sowing the seeds or sowing the seeds in
nursery. Nursery sowing method is found to be economical and the fresh seeds are sown in
nursery in the month of February or March. The seedlings attain a height of 5–8 cm after
two months and then they are transplanted in to the field at a distance of 45 cm × 30 cm.
Proper fertilization and weeding is done timely and leaves are stripped after nine months.
In order to collect the whole plant, the stems are first cut about 10 cm above the grounds
and the leaves, seeds, stems are separated and dried. The roots are collected by plugging
which are later washed and dried under shade and packed.

5.Characteristics:
The leaves are green in colour, flowers are either violet, pinkish white or carmine
red and roots are pale grey in colour. It has characteristic odour and bitter taste. The
flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by bees.
Leaves are petiolate, entire margin, ovate or oblong, glossy appearance and with acute
apex. Fruit is follicles with numerous black seeds.
 6.Chemical Constituents:
Alkaloids are present in entire shrub but leaves and roots contain more alkaloids.
About 90 alkaloids have been isolated from Vinca from which some like Ajmalicine,
Serpentine and Tetrahydroalstonine are known and are present in other species of
Apocynaceae. The important alkaloids in Catharanthus are the dimer indole indoline
alkaloids Vinblastine and Vincristine and they possess defi-nite anticancer activity. Vindoline
and Catharanthine are indole monomeric alkaloids. It also contains monoterpenes,
sesquiterpene, indole and indoline glycoside.

7. Uses:
Vinblastin is an antitumour alkaloid used in the treatment of Hodgkin’s disease.
Vincristine is a cytotoxic compound and used to treat leukaemia in children. Vinca is used in
herbal practice for its astringent and tonic properties in menorrhagia and in haemorrhages
generally. In cases of scurvy and for relaxed sore throat and inflamed tonsils, it may also be
used as a gargle. For bleeding piles, it may be applied externally, as well as taken internally.
It is also used in the treatment of diabetes.
The flowers of the Periwinkle are gently purgative, but lose their effect on drying. If
gathered in the spring and made into a syrup, they impart all their virtues, and this, it is
stated, is excellent as a gentle laxative for children and also for overcoming chronic
constipation in grown persons.
8. Marketed Products:
It is one of the ingredients of the preparation known as Cytocristin (Cipla).

ERGOT

1.Synonyms:
Ergot; Rye Ergot; Secale cornutum; Spurred rye; Ergot of rye; Ergota.

2. Biological Source:
- Ergot is the dried sclerotium of a fungus, Claviceps purpurea Tulasne, belonging to
family Clavicipitaceae, developing in the ovary of rye plant, Secale cereale (Family Poaceae).
- Ergot should yield about 0.15% of the total alkaloids calculated as ergotoxine and
water-soluble alkaloids equivalent to about 0.01% of ergonovine.

3.Geographical Source:
It is mainly found in Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Switzerland, Germany, France,
Yugoslavia, Spain, Russia and India. In India Ergot is cultivated at Kodaikanal (T.N.).

4.Cultivation and Collection:

The life cycle of the fungus, Claviceps purpurea, which is a parasite, passes through the
following characteristic stages:
1) Sphacelia or honeydew or asexual stage
2) Sclerotium or ascigerous or sexual stage and
3) Ascospore stage.
1. Sphacelia or honeydew or asexual stage:
The rye plant becomes infected by the spores of the fungus in the spring session
when flowers bloom for about one week. The spores are carried by the wind or by insects
to the flowers and collected at the base of the young ovary where moisture is present.
There germination of the spores takes place. A filamentous hypha is formed which enters
into the wall of the ovary by enzymatic action. A soft, white mass over the surface of ovary
is formed, which is known as Sphacelia. A sweet viscous yellowish liquid, known as
honeydew, is secreted during the Sphacelia stage which contains reducing sugars (reduce
Fehling solution). From the ends of some hyphae small oval conidiospores (asexual spore/s)
are abstricted which remain suspended on honeydew. The sweet taste of honeydew
attracts some insects like ants and weevils. Insects suck the sweet liquid and carry the
conidiospores to the plants and spread the fungal infection in the rye plants. Cultured
conidiospores are used for the inoculum. Strains capable of producing about 0.35% of
selected alkaloids, mainly ergotamine, are now utilized.

2. Sclerotium or ascigerous or sexual stage:

During the Sphacelia stage the hyphae enter only the outer wall of the ovary. On
further development they penetrate into deeper parts, feed on the ovarian tissues and
replace it by a compact, dark purple hard tissue known as pseudoparenchyma. It forms the
sclerotium or resting state of the fungus. During summer the sclerotium or ergot increases
in size and projects on the rye, showing sphacelial remains at its apex. It is collected at this
stage by hands or machine and used as a drug. Ergot is then dried to remove moisture.
About 6 weeks after inoculation, the mature sclerotia are harvested. They may be picked up
by hand or collected by machine. The number and size of the ergots produced on each
spike of cereal by C. purpurea varies, rye usually bears sclerotia, while wheat bears very
few.

3. Ascospore stage:
If Ergot is not collected, it falls on the ground. In the next spring session, they produce
stalked projections known as stromata which have globular heads. In the inner surface of
the heads there are many flask-shaped pockets known as perithecia. Each of these
perithecia contains many sacs (asci) which possesses eight of the thread-like ascospores.
These ascospores are carried out by insects or wind to the flowers of the rye as described in
the first stage. In this way life cycle of Ergot is completed. The ascospores may be
germinated on a nutritive medium to get conidiospore bearing cultures. The suspension of
these conidiospores is usually used as a spray to infect rye plants for commercial
production of Ergot.
Ergot is collected from fields of rye when the sclerotia are fully developed and projecting
from the spike, or they are removed from the grain by shifting. The size of the crop varies
according to weather conditions. The vegetative phase of the fungus can, like that of other
moulds, be cultivated artificially. Under such conditions the typical sclerotia do not develop.

5. Characteristics:
The size of sclerotium (Ergot) is about 1–4 cm long, 2–7 mm broad. Shape is fusiform,
slightly curved, sub-cylindrical, tapering at both ends. The outer surface is dark or violet-
black in color, has longitudinal furrows and sometimes small transverse cracks. The
fractured surface shows thin, dark outer layer, a whitish or pinkish-white central zone of
pseudo parenchyma in which darker lines radiate from the centre. Odor is characteristic
and taste is unpleasant.

6. Chemical Constituents:
A large number of alkaloids have been isolated from the Ergot. The most important
alkaloids are ergonovine and ergotamine. On the basis of solubility in water the alkaloids
are divided into two groups: water-soluble ergometrine (or ergonovine) group or water-
insoluble (ergotamine and ergotoxine) groups as given hereunder:

Only the first group, ergometrine group, belongs to water-soluble compounds. Alkaloids of
Group II and III are polypeptides in which lysergic acid or isolysergic acid is linked to amino
acids. Alkaloids obtained from lysergic acid are physiologically active compounds. In the
first group, for example, ergometrine alkaloids, lysergic acid or its isomer is linked to an
amino alcohol.
The ergot alkaloids (ergolines) can also be divided into two classes (1) the clavine-type
alkaloids, which are derivatives of 6,8-dimethyl-ergoline and (2) the lysergic acid
derivatives, which are peptide alkaloids and contains the pharmacologically active alkaloids
that characterize the ergot sclerotium (ergot). Each active alkaloid occurs with an inactive
isomer involving isolysergic acid.
 7. Chemical Tests:
1. Ergot under UV light shows a red-colored fluorescence.
2. Ergot powder is extracted with a mixture of CHCl3 and sodium carbonate. The
CHCl3 layer is separated and a mixture of p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (0.1 g), H2SO4
(35%, v/v, 100 ml) and 5% ferric chloride (1.5 ml) is added. A deep blue color is produced.

8. Uses:
Ergot is oxytocic, vasoconstrictor and abortifacient and used to assist delivery and to
reduce post-partum hemorrhage. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25), obtained by partial
synthesis from lysergic acid, is a potent specific psychoto-mimetic. Ergometrine is oxytocic
and used in delivery. It stimulates the tone of uterine muscles and prevents post-partum
hemorrhage.
Only ergometrine produces an oxytocic effect, ergotoxine and ergotamine having quite a
different action. Ergometrine is soluble in water or in dilute alcohol. It is known as
ergonovine. Ergotamine and the semisynthetic dihydroergotamine salts are used as specific
analgesics for the treatment of migraine. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25), prepared by
partial synthesis from lysergic acid, is a potent specific psychotomimetic.

STEROIDAL ALKALOID:

KURCHI

1.Synonyms:
Holarrhenna; Kurchi Bark.

2.Biological Source:
Kurchi bark consists of dried stem bark of Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall, belonging
to family Apocynaceae.
3.Geographical Source:
The plant is found throughout India, ascending up to 1,250 m in the Himalayas,
especially in wet forests.

4.Cultivation and Collection:

Kurchi is a deciduous laticiferous shrub or small tree, 9–10 m high. The bark is
collected from the tree by making suit-able transverse and longitudinal incisions. The
alkaloidal content is high soon after the rains when new shoots are produced which
declines during winter months.

5.Characteristics:
The pieces of Kurchi bark are small and recurved both longitudinally and transversely.
The size and thickness vary from piece to piece. Outer surface is buff to reddish brown and
bears numerous prominent circular or transversely elongated horizontal lenticels and
longitudinal wrinkles.
The thicker pieces are rugose and show numerous yellowish warts; inner surface cinnamon-
brown, longitudinally striated, frequently with portions of pale-yellow wood attached;
fracture is brittle and splintery. The taste is acrid and bitter while the odor is not distinct.

6.Chemical Constituents:
The total alkaloidal constituents of Kurchi bark vary from 1.1% to 4.72%. The main
steroidal alkaloid is conessine (20–30%). The other alkaloids isolated include conarrhimine,
conimine, conamine, conessimine, isoconessimine, dimethyl conkurchine and holarrhimine.
In addition to alkaloids the bark also contains gum, resin, tannin, lupeol and digitenol
glycoside holadysone.

7. Uses:
 The bark is considered to be stomachic, astringent, tonic, antidysenteric, febrifuge and
anthelmintic. The dried bark is rubbed over the body in dropsy. Kurchi bark is used to cure
amoebic dysentery and diarrhea.

8.Marketed Products:
It is one of the ingredients of the preparations known as Diarex PFS, Diarex Vet.
(Himalaya Drug Company), Mahamanjishthadi kwath, Mahamanjisthadyarishta (Dabur) and
Amree plus granules, Purodil capsules (Aimil Pharmaceuticals).

QUINAZOLINE

VASAKA

 Chemical constituents:
The major chemical constituents of vasaca are its several alkaloids, and the chief one is
vasicine.
• Leaves composed of major constituents which are vasicine and vasicinone.
• Also the leaves of vasaca contain vitamin C in large amount.
• They also have carotene and essential oil in large amount.
• The roots of this plant contain vasicinolone, vasicol, peganine, sitosterol.
• They have beta – glucoside glalctose and deoxyvasicine and 2- hydroxyl – 4 –glucosyl-
oxychalcone in roots.
• The flowers of this plant contain b-sitosterol-D- glucoside, kaempferol.
• Its glycosides and quercetin minor alkaloids include adhatinine and vasinol.