Nat Prod Lett. 2001 ; 15(3): 151-5.

Iso-N-formyl-5-en-chonemorphine, a steroidal alkaloid from Sarcococca zeylanica.

Jayasinghe UL, Kumarihamya BM, Nadeemb M, Choudhary MI, Atta-Ur-Rahmanb , Weerasooriya A.

Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Chemical investigation of the non-quaternary alkaloidal fraction of the aerial parts of Sarcococca zeylanica of the family Buxaceae furnished a steroidal alkaloid iso-N-formyl-5-en-chonemorphine, which has not been previously reported as a natural product. The structure of this alkaloid was established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.