Chapter 3 Distribution of Alkaloids in Traditional Chinese Medicinal Plants

Publisher Summary Alkaloids as a class of compounds have shown a wide range of biological activity and toxicity and have attracted much interest among scientists. It has been shown that there are at least SO alkaloid-containing plant families and 120 alkaloid-containing plant genuses. Alkaloids occur abundantly in dicotyledons but are rarely found in cryptogamia and monocotyledons. As to the plants used in traditional Chinese medicine, a still finer distinction can be made between the regular prescriptions (totally, about 300 to 500 plant species) and the folklore practice (involving about 5000 species), the latter being, however, restricted to usage by the local people. This chapter deals with the distribution of these alkaloids, discussing various species such as Aconitum and Delphinium of the family Ranunculaceae. Interest in this group of compounds arises from the use of Aconitum roots. They are widely used as antirheumatics, analgesics, anesthetics, and to improve blood circulation. Twelve aconites from different species were analyzed and the alkaloids identified and quantified. It was shown that all aconite samples contained yunaconitine-type alkaloids, suggesting that these plants are phytochemically related.