Alkaloids: Chemical and Biological Perspectives

Acronycine, a potent antitumor agent, was discovered in the bark of the small Australian Rutaceous tree, Acronychia baueri Schott. This new work presents a comprehensive survey of the isolation, structure determination, methods of synthesis, and the biological properties of acronycine, as well as an account of natural and synthetic analogues of acronycine, and their biological properties. Solanum alkaloids were reviewed in 1990 and this book surveys the new developments (isolation procedures, structural elucidation methods) and critically updates earlier reviews. In addition it presents the interesting chemistry and synthesis of cyclopeptide alkaloids. These cyclopeptide alkaloids have been isolated from ascidians, sea hares, and cyanobacteria. Also included are reviews of the use of the functionalized lactam, pyroglutamic acid, as a chiral template for the synthesis of alkaloids. The second review examines the on-line coupling of capillary electrophoresis (CE) and mass spectrometry (MS) for the analysis of alkaloid mixtures. Finally a review of oxygenated analogs of the alkaloid Marcfortine for their potent antiparasitic activity is included at the end of this work. Each chapter in this volume has been reviewed by at least one expert in the field. Indexes for both subjects and organisms are provided.