Lauraceae alkaloids

Abstract

Lauraceae is one of the most representative botanical families, presenting 67 genera, with over 2500 species and more than 300 different alkaloids reported, mainly isoquinolines.

Phytochemical Analysis of Alkaloids From the Chilean Endemic Tree Cryptocarya Alba

“…Twelve alkaloids were identified in all: four benzyltetrahydroisoquinolines: reticuline, coclaurine, N-methylcoclaurine and norreticuline; and eight aporphines: boldine, isocorydine, laurolitsine, laurotetanine, N-methyllaurotetanine, predicentrine, norglaucine and glaucine. Benzylisoquinolines and aporphines are the most widespread alkaloids in the Lauraceae, 15 and are commonly found in Cryptocarya species. 20,21,22,23,24 .…”

“…14 Considering that Lauraceae are often rich sources of alkaloids and that a fair number of Cryptocarya species have been shown to contain structurally diverse isoquinoline alkaloids, 15 it is somewhat surprising that the benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline (+)(S)-reticuline is the only alkaloid reported from the stem bark and leaves of this species. 16 In the framework of a chemical investigation of sclerophyllous forest trees of Central Chile, we therefore undertook a meticulous study of the alkaloids present in C. alba including the root, leaves, bark and wood in order to characterize the composition at different growth stages, and to obtain data that might contribute to explain, in an evolutionary context, the events associated with the isolation of this species from its geographically closest Southern Brazilian and Northern Peruvian relatives.…”

Synthesis and fluorescent properties of boroisoquinolines, a new family of fluorophores

“…1). The alkaloids can be found widely in various plants [1][2][3][4] and marine invertebrates. 5 A well-known pharmacologically signicant compound is papaverine (1) that was isolated from opium poppies (Papaver somniferum) and was used as a smooth muscle relaxant.…”

Distribution of alkaloids in woody plants

“…Finally, the Lauraceae family includes several species able to produce isoquinoline alkaloids (33,34). The most frequently detected alkaloids in Lauraceae barks include reticuline, boldine, aporphine, corydine, cinnamolaurine, laurotetatnine and laurolitsine (33,35,36).…”

“…The most frequently detected alkaloids in Lauraceae barks include reticuline, boldine, aporphine, corydine, cinnamolaurine, laurotetatnine and laurolitsine (33,35,36). These species include the Iroquois bay (Sassafras albidum) used in medicine for its antiseptic properties and as a spice in Cajun cooking and the cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum mollissimum) providing cinnamon and lumber.…”