Ana Cuevas

Arbutin and sucrose in the leaves of the resurrection plant Myrothamnus flabellifolia

Abstract Forty-two per cent of the desiccated leaves of Myrothamnus flabellifolia was extracted in methanol, and contained two major components, sucrose (30%) and arbutin (65%). Its arbutin content can probably explain the purported medicinal properties of this plant. By analogy with other desiccation-tolerant organisms, sucrose and arbutin may be partially responsible for the extreme resistance of Myrothamnus to environmental stress.

Isoquinoline alkaloids from Berberis Vulgaris subsp. Australis

Abstract Sixteen isoquinoline alkaloids were isolated from Berberis vulgaris subsp. australis . In addition to quaternary protoberberines and bisbenzylisoquinolines, a new seco - bis benzylisoquinoline, (-)-tejedine, is reported.

Isoquinoline alkaloids from Platycapnos

Abstract The genus Platycapnos differs from all other genera of the Fumariaceae in its alkaloid composition. The morphinandienone sinoacutine is the major alkaloid in the perennial P. saxicola while the annual species of the genus, P. spicata , P. tenuiloba subsp. tenuiloba and P. tenuiloba subsp. parallela contain high concentrations of aporphinoid alkaloids, mainly glaucine, nantenine and thalicthuberine.