Indole alkaloids from cell suspension cultures of Stemmadenia tomentosa and Voacanga africana.

Stemmadenia tomentosa var. palmeri, Voacanga africana, Apocynaceae, Cell Suspension Cultures, Indole Alkaloids Cell suspension cultures of Stemmadenia tomentosa synthesized under normal growth condition the eight major indole alkaloids: (-)-tabersonine, (—)-minovincinine, (+)-conoflorine (voaphylline), condylocarpine, (+)-tubotaiwine (dihydrocondylocarpine), (-)-norfluorocurarine (vincanine), (-)-vinervine, and (—)-coronaridine. These alkaloids consist of the three different types, Aspidosperma, Strychnos and Iboga. In contrast, cultures o f Voacanga africana produced mainly one alkaloid group (Aspidosperma-type) represented by (—)-tabersonine, lochnericine and (—)minovincinine. Therefore this cell culture seems to be qualified for investigation concerning the biosynthesis of Aspidosperma alkaloids.