Description
A tetracyclic alkaloid present in Sophora species, this base crystallizes from H20
as the monohydrate, m.p. 54-5°C which becomes anhydrous in vacuo. It has
[α]
18D - 29.44° (EtOH) and yields the following salts: hydrochloride, m.p. >
300°C; hydriodide, m.p. 277-9°C; aurichloride, m.p. l66-7°C; platinichloride,
m.p. 207-212°C (dec.); picrate, m.p. ISS-7°C and the methiodide, m.p. 200-2°C. Reduction of the base by electrolysis yields a crystalline, volatile base,
ClsH26N2, b.p. l53-4°C/5 mm; [α]
D - 26.2° (EtOH) and giving a methiodide
with a melting point above 300°C. Attempted degradation by the Hofmann
process has proved unsuccessful.
Chemical Properties
White needle-shaped crystals, soluble in organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, DMSO, etc., derived from Sophora flavescens, a plant of the genus Macleaya in the Papaveraceae family.
Uses
Sophocarpine Monohydrate alleviates non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, which is a resultant effect of non-alcoholic fatty lifer disease. Admission of this compound results in a decrease in liver weight and serum lipids. Antiviral agent, Sophocarpine also displays a profound effect against coxsackievirus and therapeutical effects of viral myocarditis.
References
Orekhov, Proskurnina., Ber., 67,77 (1934)
Proskurnina, Kuzuvkov., Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR, 91, 1145 (1953)
Okuda et al., Chern. & Ind., 1326 (1962)
