Ipecacuanha and Alangium Alkaloids

Cephaelis ipecacuanha is a small tree whose original habitat is Brazil. The genus Cephaelis belongs to the subfamily Rubioideae of Rubiaceae. From the roots, several important alkaloids have been isolated (18, 78, 102). 

Emetine and other related alkaloids are biosynthesized from dopamine and secologanin of mevalonate origin through a glycosidic intermediate, desacetylipe-coside (Fig. 5.2.14) (6). Alkaloids having biogenetic importance, such as protoemetine, have also been found in the same plant (7). 

From a South African plant Cassinopsis ilicifolia (Icacinaceae), deoxytubulosine has been obtained (112). It is interesting to note that the closely related emetine-tubulosine alkaloids occur in three completely distinct families namely the Rubiaceae, Alangiaceae, and Icacinaceae. 

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