Picralima klaineana

ALKALOIDS OF PICRALIMA KLAINEANA This Apocynaceous species is widely but sparsely distributed in tropical Africa, wh re the seeds enjoy an undeserved reputation as a specific for malaria. The drug is rich in alkaloids of which nine have been isolated and characterised. ... 

Peschiera affmis (Muell. Arg.) Miers (see Tabernaemontana affmis Muell. Arg.) Picralima klaineana Pierre [see Picralima nitida (Stapf) Th. et H. Durand]... 

Picralima nitida (Stapf) Th. et H. Durand Picralima klaineana Pierre)... 

From Picralima Klaineana Pierre. Yellow tablets + IHoO from EtOH.Aq. M.p. 125. [a]i - 44-4 in EtOH.. ... 

Frcan Picralima Klaineana Pierre. Prisms from EtOH.. M.p. 160. [a] + 47-9 in EtOH. 80L EttoO, CHCI3, warm CgHg. 

Alkalmd from Picralima Klaineana Pierre. Needles from EtOH. M.p. 255 (295 ). MS -73-4 in CHCI3. Sol. CHCL. Spar. sol. EtOH, EtgO. 

The alkaloids discussed in the succeeding paragraphs occur in the seeds of Picralima nitida Th. and H. Durand (syn. P. klaineana Pierre), which is widely but sparsely distributed throughout tropical Africa. The seeds of this plant are used by the West African natives as a specific for malaria, and as an antipyretic (1, 2). The first chemical examination of Picralima was conducted by Clinquart, who obtained a crystalline alkaloid, mp 242°-243°, and a second, amorphous base (3, 4). Various color reactions of these specimens were described, but beyond this no attempts were made to characterize them completely. The alkaloids were shown to occur chiefly in the seeds, but they are also present in the leaves and bark (3, 4). 

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