Reinvestigation of the Alkaloid Composition of Atropa belladonna Plants, Root Cultures, and Cell Suspension Cultures

Abstract

The alkaloid composition of Atropa belladonna was analyzed by high resolution GLC and GLC-MS. A total of 13 alkaloids, most new for Atropa, were identified from roots. The aboveground parts of the plant revealed 7 alkaloids; the hygrines were completely absent. The alkaloid pattern of root cultures was almost identical with the pattern of roots from intact plants. The patterns differed only quantitatively. Scopolamine which in A. belladonna seems to be synthesized in the roots only, was preferably excreted into the culture medium. Norhyoscyamine was found frequently in plant shoots. The occurrence of hyoscyamine N-oxide in various plant organs could be confirmed. Cell suspension cultures produced trace amounts of hyoscyamine, 3α-acetoxytropane and 3α-tigloyloxytropane. The last two ester alkaloids were not detectable in intact plants.