Chemotaxonomy and geographical distribution of tropane alkaloids

• Published in: Phytochemistry (Oxford) 2000-03, Vol.53 (6), p.623-637
• Main Authors: Griffin, William J., Lin, G.David
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Brassicaceae - chemistry; Calystegines; Chemical constitution; Convolvulaceae; Cruciferae; Cultivation; Erythroxylaceae; Euphorbiaceae; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Geographical distribution; Geography; Magnoliopsida - chemistry; Moonines; Plant cytology, morphology, systematics, chorology and evolution; Plant physiology and development; Plants, Medicinal - chemistry; Proteaceae; Rhizophoraceae; Rosales - chemistry; Schizanthines; Scopolamine; Solanaceae; Solanaceae - chemistry; Spermatophyta; Systematics (diagnosis, chromosome numbers); Tropane alkaloids; Tropanes - chemistry; Truxillines
• ISSN: 0031-9422; 1873-3700
• DOI: 10.1016/S0031-9422(99)00475-6

This review illustrates the distribution of tropane alkaloids within the families Solanaceae, Erythroxylaceae, Proteaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Rhizophoraceae, Convolvulaceae and Cruciferae. Whereas tropane alkaloids are characteristic of the genera Datura, Brugmansia (tree datura) and Duboisia of the Solanaceae, the distribution is more widespread with novel tropane derivatives in families not traditionally associated with these bases. The chemical nature of more recently discovered water-soluble calystegines and the di- and trimeric forms from the Convolvulaceae (e.g. schizanthines from Schizanthus spp.), truxillines from Bolivian coca leaves and moonines of Erythroxylum moonii are highlighted. Where possible and appropriate, links between the phytochemistry and taxonomy are discussed.