Alkaloids of Papaver argemone L. and Papaver pavoninum FISCH. et MEY. From the Argemonorhoeades FEDDE section

Abstract

Papaver argemone L. and Papaver pavoninum FISCH. et MEY. species of the Argemonorhoeades FEDDE (Papaveraceae) section were studied. A very low content of alkaloids was found in both species (less than 0·05%). P. argemone contains corytuberine and its quaternary N-methyl derivative magnoflorine as the dominant bases. As minor constituents were isolated: protopine, isocorydine, scoulerine, and alkaloids PAR 1, PAR 2, PAR 3. Chromatographic analysis detected allocryptopine, cryptopine, coptisine and traces of rhoeadine, papaverrubines C, D and E, and more than 6 unidentified bases. P. pavoninum gave N2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline as the dominant alkaloid, along with minor amounts of the tertiary bases protopine, allocryptopine, corydine, isocorydine and corytuberine. Of quaternary bases, coptisine, magnoflorine and an unidentified alkaloid PP 1 were isolated. The presence of many other, considerably labile bases has been proven in both species.