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Planta Med 1991; 57: S73-S84
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-960233
Alkaloids in Mammals

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Endogenous Alkaloids in Man - Synthesis, Analytics, in vivo Identification, and Medicinal Importance*,1

Gerhard Bringmann2 , Doris Feineis2 , Heike Friedrich2 , Annette Hille2
  • 2Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-8700 Würzburg, Federal Republic of Germany
* This work is dedicated to Professor B. Franck on the occasion of his 65th birthday.1 Endogenous Alkaloids in Man; Part VIII. For part VII, see Ref. (28)
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Publication Date:
05 January 2007 (online)

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Abstract

The in vitro and in vivo condensation of endogenous (or administered) reactive amines and carbonyl compounds is reported, leading to alkaloid-type heterocycles. The spectrum of the presented “mammalian alkaloids” ranges from isoquinoline derivatives, via β-carbolines, through to thiazolidines, arising from vitamin B6, chloral, and glyoxylic acid, respectively. Formation of these compounds may occur accidentally, but might also be induced intentionally, as a therapy for metabolic diseases.

Key words

Non-enzymatic in vivo chemistry - therapeutic “trapping” of harmful metabolites - homocystinuria - hyperoxaluria - Pictet-Spengler reaction - isoquinolines - β-carbolines - thiazolidines - chloral - penicillamine - vitamin B6