CHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF ENICOSTEMMA LITORALE

Abstract

Four chloroform soluble alkaloids and one water soluble alkaloid have been characterised from Enicostemma litorale. The steam distillate of the alcoholic extract of the plant yielded a volatile oil. Two sterols, one from the alcoholic extract and the other from the alcohol exhausted plant have also been isolated. The chloroform soluble alkaloids caused a marked depression of the heart and showed a weak antimalarial activity. The alcoholic extract of the plant seemed to possess some antibacterial property.