Synthesis and pharmacological activity of alkaloids from embryo of lotus, Nelumbo nucifera

Abstract

Bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, nelumboferine which was recently isolated from the embryo of Nelumbo nucifera, and stereoisomers of neferine, which is a major alkaloid of the embryo of N. nucifera, were stereoselectively synthesized. Pharmacological activity of nelumboferine, stereoisomers of neferine, liensinine, isoliensinine, and O-methylneferine were evaluated. © 2013 The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan.