A bronchodilator alkaloid (vasicinone) from Adhatoda vasica Nees

Abstract

A NEW alkaloid has been isolated by us in the crystalline form from the leaves of Adhatoda vasica Nees (Indian Patent No. 62349 of November 21, 1957. Patent application No. 64603 of July 9, 1958). The alkaloid, which has been named vasicinone, has been found to be a much weaker base than vasicine, an alkaloid which is already known to be present in this plant. Elementary analysis gave, C = 65.33, H = 4.93, N = 13.65 per cent. The molecular weight (Rast) was found to be about 210 and the molecular formula C11H 10N2O2. The alkaloid was found to be identical with 2,3-(α-hydroxytrimethylene)-4 quinazolone which had been prepared earlier by the oxidation of vasicine with 30 per cent hydrogen peroxide 1,2. © 1959 Nature Publishing Group.