Mallorepine, Cyano–γ–Pyridone from Mallotus repandus

Abstract

The methanol extract of a Formosan folklore drug, the aerial part of Mallotus répandus (Euphorbiaceae), has been fractionated monitored by the antiulcerogenic activity to give, together with bergenin as one of the active principles, a crystalline substance for which the name mallorepine is given. Mallorepine has been identified as 3–cyano–1–methyl–4–pyridone (I) but has been shown to be inactive in inhibiting the formation of the stress–induced gastric ulcers. Mallorepine may propably be an intermediate on the biosynthetic pathway from nicotinamide (II) to ricinine (III).

Mallotus répandus - Mallorepine - Cyano–γ–pyridone