koumine

Description

The Chinese drug 'Kou-wen', said to be derived from Gelsemium elegans Benth., is stated to contain this alkaloid which forms rhombic prisms from Me2 CO. It has [α]²³_D - 265° (EtOH) and forms a crystalline hydrochloride, m.p. 255°C (dec.) and a hydrobromide, m.p. 269°C (dec.).

Occurrence

Koumine is an alkaloid isolated from Gelsemium elegans Benth.

Uses

Koumine is known to attenuate the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophages.

References

Chou, Pak, Hou., Chin. 1. Physiol., 5, 345 (1931)
Chou, Wang, Chen., ibid, 8,40 (1934)
Chi, Kao, Huang., 1. Amer. Chem. Soc., 60, 1723 (1938)