The Alkaloids of Vinca difformis Pourr. and V. major

These plants are simple varieties of Vinca major L., so that V. difformis Pourr. is more properly named V. major L. var. difformis (Pourr.) Pich., and V. major L. (V. pubescens Urv.) as V. major L. var. major (1). A glance at Table III will show that these varieties do produce different 

The structures of most of these alkaloids are discussed elsewhere under appropriate headings. The bases vinine, pubescine, and an alkaloid, mp 194°-195°, have not yet been reisolated. If the data on vincamarjoreine are correct, its structure may be novel, since it shows no carbonyl band in the IR-spectrum and both its oxygens are accounted for in methoxyl groups. 

The crude alkaloids of V. major var. major produce, by intravenous injection, a marked fall in the blood pressure of dogs (83) which is apparently not owing to their reserpinine or vincamine content (67). A phytochemical investigation has also been reported (84). 

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