Chondodendron platyphyllum

In 1843 Maclagen (56) found two compounds of basic nature in Nectan-dra roots from British Guiana. One of these, an amorphous yellow powder, he named bebeerine (bebirine). Some time later a yellow powder was isolated from Buxus sempervirens L., whose fibers and leaves were used as a remedy for intermittant fever. This powder which was named buxin proved to be identical with bebeerine. Finally, the alkaloid known as pelosine which occurs in the roots of Cissampelos pareira L. and Radix pareira bravae was found to be identical with bebeerine (56, 59). Bebeerine also occurs in Chondodendron platyphyllum, Ch. microphyllum, Abula candicans Rich. Ch. candicans Sandwith) (68), and Pleogyne cunninghamii (136), as well as in the commerical powder known as bebeerum purum. 

Tubocurare is used in the Amazon basin, and is kept in a container known as a tubo or tube. The poison comprises extracts of the bark of Chondodendron tomentosum and C.platyphyllum (Menispermaceae), which grow wild in Brazil. The toxic principle is the biscoclaurine-type alkaloid J-tubocurarine (d-Tc), which is described later in this section. 

The most active principle of Menispermaceae curare is (+)-tubocurarine (25, 39). The origin plants of tubocurare are mainly of the Chondodendron species such as C. tomentosum, C. platyphyllum, and C. candicans, C. tomentosum is a liana whose bark and stem contain (+)-tubocurarine. 

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