Extraction, Purification and Characterization of Indole Alkaloids from Strychnos wallichiana L. – an Endangered Medicinal Plant from India

Strychnos wallichiana (Loganiaceae) is a critically endangered medicinal plant, commonly used in several native medical practices. The majority of members of the Strychnos genus shares a similar chemical composition and contains common indole alkaloids. Purification of strychnine and brucine from a few species of Strychnos have already been reported; however, we have purified and quantified these alkaloids for the first time from this native Indian species by isocratic RP-HPLC from roots and seeds. The structural identity of HPLC-purified strychnine and brucine was reaffirmed by IR, H-NMR, C-NMR and LC-MS spectral analysis. The present study reveals that South Indian S. wallichiana possesses indole alkaloids in a significant proportion, and that it is an alternative source for strychnine and brucine. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________