Sinomenium diversifolius

The alkaloid sinomenine was first isolated from the stem and roots of the Japanese plant Sinomenium diversifolius by Ishiwari in 1920 [1], It also occurs in Sinomenium acutum and probably in han-fangchi [2-4], Goto [5] first called the alkaloid cucoline, but subsequently adopted the name sinomenine. 

Sinomenine is the main alkaloid of the roots and stems of Sinomenium acutum Rehder and Wilson and Sinomenium diversifolius Diels, climbing plants indigenous to the woods of southern Japan (89). Sinomenine contains a hydrophenanthrene nucleus and an ethanamine bridge and is structurally very similar to morphine and codeine. The configuration at the asymmetric centers, C-5, C-9, C-12, and C-14 is the mirror image of those in morphine it affords a route to interesting enantiomorphs of morphins and morphinone derivatives. 

Sinomenium acutum (Thunb.) Rehd. et Wils. S. diversifolium Diels. Japanese Fuag Ji, Qing Teng See Cocculus diversifolius ... 

Cocculus diversifolius, C. thunbergii, Menispermum dauricum, Sinomenium acutum Menispermum dauricum Lycium chinense Hedyotis diffusa... 

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