Gentianine derived alkaloids

The alkaloid erythricine, C10H9O2N (m.p. 81-83°), obtainable from this plant is apparently a lactone. It is oxidizable to a C9 acid and hydrolyzable to a Cio acid. A number of crystalline derivatives were prepared (picrate, m.p. 122-124° oxalate, m.p. 151-152°) (50). It is the reviewer s opinion that this alkaloid is identical with gentianine. 

A number of important alkaloids are derived from monoterpenes. Monoterpenoid alkaloids are comparably simple compounds formed by addition of nitrogen atom to an existing monoterpene, mainly of the secologanin type. Several monoterpenoid alkaloids have been isolated and characterized and classified based upon their structural characteristics. The more common and pharmaceutically important types such as actinidine, skytanthine, and gentianine are discussed herein. 

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