ISOLATION AND STRUCTURAL STUDIES ON THE ALKALOIDS OF CATHARANTHS ROSEUS

Abstract

Catharanthus of roseus (L) G.DON locally known as “Sada bahar” is widely distributed throughout Pakistan. It is one of the most thoroughly investigated plants of Apocynaceaes and over 120 alkaloids of different types have been isolated form it. This Ph.D thesis described the isolation and structure elucidation of three new alkaloids, “bannucine gomaline and rosamine”. Three other compounds isolated have been identified as rhazimol, cathovaline and Catharine. Rhazimol and cathovaline have not previously been reported form this plant. A detailed study on the 1H and 13C-NMR spectra of Catharine have provided insights into the conformations of the molecule in solution.