Alkaloids of Virgilia divaricata and V. oroboides

Abstract

orty-three quinolizidine alkaloids, and the dipiperidyl alkaloid, ammodendrine, have been found in Virgilia divaricata and V. oroboides. Three new quinolizidine alkaloids were detected, viz. virgilidone, 4β- O-(2′-pyrrolylcarboxyl)- epilupinine and 4β-hydroxy-1 1- O-(2′-pyrrolylcarboxyl)-epilupinine. The distribution of alkaloids in air-dried leaves, flowers, pods, seeds and twigs of the two species was also investigated. The unique combination of bi-, tri- and tetracyclic quinolizidine alkaloids is typical of the genus Virgilia.