Phytochemical Studies on Egyptian Araceae Species

Abstract

d e l -B a r y The family Araceae is represented in Egypt by four genera viz. Pistia, Arisarum, Biarum and Eminizrm. Arisarum and Eminium are of the most common terrestrial genera and each is represented in Egypt by one species viz. Arisarum vulgare T o r g -T o z z var. veslingii (S c h o t t) E n g 1. and Eminium spiculatum (B 1 u me) K t z e (= Helicophyllum crassipes S c h o t t).This paper deals with the chemsitry of these two wild Egyptian species. Experimental and Results Material1

Structure of Irniine, a Pyrrolidine Alkaloid from Arisarum vulgare

“…The consumption of large amounts induced several toxicologic manifestations, such as irritation of the mucous membranes, gastro-enteritis, and allergic symptoms, mainly dermatitis and pruritis, and sometimes led to death (1,2). Previous investigations on this plant report the presence of lipids, proteins, and non-specified alkaloids (2,3). We investigated the toxic components in the tubers of A. vulgare by using a bioassay employing the larvae of brine shrimp Artemia salina (4).…”