Arthrophytum leptocladum

Dipterine, the iVb-methyl derivative of tryptamine, occurs in two Asiatic members of the family Chenopodiaceae, Girgensohnia diplera Bge. (71, 72) and Arthrophytum leptocladum Popov (73), and also in the bark of Piptadenia peregrina Benth. (73a). Arthrophytum leptocladum also contains a closely related base, leptocladine (74), identified as Nb-methyltetrahydroharman by synthesis from dipterine and acetaldehyde (73). 

Tryptamine (XIV) is found in some species of Acacia (7). It may be formed by putrefaction bacteria from tryptophan-containing media (63). N-Methyltryptamine (XV) is said to be idential with dipterin which occurs in Girgensohnia diptera Bge. and Arthrophytum leptocladum Popov (64). Results of pharmacological studies show that tryptamines are musculo-tropic and not sympathomimetic (65). They do not dilate the rabbit s pupil and they contract both the rabbit s isolated intestine and guinea pig s uterus. The pressor action of tryptamine is higher than that of N-methyltryptamine. The former is metaboMzed to indoleacetic acid by deamination in the body (13). 

W-Methyl-y3-phenethylamine occurs together with dipterine (W-methyltryptamine) and leptocladine (3 4-dimethyl-3 4 5 6-tetrahydro-4-carboline), in the Chenopodiaceae Arthrophytum leptocladum Popov (16, 17). The colorless oil has b.p. 73—75° (4 mm.) hydrochloride, m.p. 161-162°, picrate 141-142 (from alcohol) picrolonate, m.p. 217—218 (from alcohol) platinichloride, m.p. 220-221 methiodide of the methyl compound, m.p. 227-228°. 

Arthrophytum leptocladum Popov (Hammada leptoclada (Popov)... 

Phenylalkylamines. Several phenylalkylamines and their derivatives have been recorded as occurring in plants. White found /S-phenylethyl-amine in many species of acacia and has suggested that this was also the base Leprince found in mistletoe. N-methyl-jS-phenylethylamine has been isolated from Arthrophytum leptocladum M. Pop, by Juraschevski, tyramine (p-hydroxyphenylethylamine) was obtained American... 

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