Biosynthesis of Lythraceae Alkaloids

Abstract

<p> The biosynthesis of the alkaloids of Decodon verticillatus, (L.)Ell, a member of the Lythraceae family, was studied by tracer methods. These alkaloids contain a phenylquinolizidine system, whose biosynthetic origin has not previously been investigated.</p> <p> Labelled samples of lysine, △^1-piperideine and phenylalanine yielded radioactive decodine and decinine, the two major alkaloids of D. verticillatus. Systematic degradations of these labelled alkaloids show that lysine, △^1-piperideine and phenylalanine serve as specific precursors. Whereas lysine and △^1-piperideine entered the quinolizidine ring, the biphenyl ring system of these alkaloids was derived from two units of phenylalanine. In a further experiment, labelled pelletierine was administered to the plants. But this experiment yielded an inconclusive result.</p>