The alkaloid content in fresh and dry leaves and flowers of Colchicum autumnale ,L. was studied. Results show that 2-and 3-demethylated derivatives of colchicine do not occur in extracts from fresh material but they are present in considerable quantity in material slowly dried before extraction due to enzymatic liberation. Demethylated products are not bound in form of glycosides, but are attached in an unknown manner to cell constituents. In addition to known alkaloi,ds we have found cornigerine, 2and 3-demethyl-N-deacetyl-N-formylcolchicine, 2-and 3-demethyldemecolcine, and a new alkaloid 2-demethylcolchifoline but no alkaloids with,out tropolone ring. Suitably dried Substances from Plants of the Subfamily Wurmbaeoideae and their Derivatives. Part LXXXV. Part LXXXIV: Collection Czechoslov. Chem. Commun. .42,. 1581(1977. leaves and flowers could be used for the commercial isolation of colchicine alkaloidsinstead of seeds and corms which are difficult t o obtain.Downloaded by: University of British Columbia. Copyrighted material.------

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