Investigation of the Alkaloid Content of Rauwolfia serpentina Roots from Regenerated Plants

Abstract

The indole alkaloid content of Rauwolfia serpentina roots from regenerated plants (from stem-and root-callus) was compared with the parental stock. Although the total alkaloid content seems to be slightly higher in the roots from regenerated plants, HPLC-analysis of individual alkaloids indicated that the contents of the alkaloids ajmaline (1), serpentine (2), and reserpine (3) are lower than in the roots of the parental stock. The glucoalkaloid raucaffricine (4) was identified as a constituent of all samples, thus providing the first evidence for its occurrence in roots of Rauwolfia serpentina.

Key words

Rauwolfia serpentina - Apocynaceae - regeneration - indole alkaloids - raucaffricine