Sophocarpine Monohydrate

Description

A tetracyclic alkaloid present in Sophora species, this base crystallizes from H20 as the monohydrate, m.p. 54-5°C which becomes anhydrous in vacuo. It has [α]¹⁸_D - 29.44° (EtOH) and yields the following salts: hydrochloride, m.p. > 300°C; hydriodide, m.p. 277-9°C; aurichloride, m.p. l66-7°C; platinichloride, m.p. 207-212°C (dec.); picrate, m.p. ISS-7°C and the methiodide, m.p. 200-2°C. Reduction of the base by electrolysis yields a crystalline, volatile base, ClsH26N2, b.p. l53-4°C/5 mm; [α]_D - 26.2° (EtOH) and giving a methiodide with a melting point above 300°C. Attempted degradation by the Hofmann process has proved unsuccessful.

The Uses of Sophocarpine Monohydrate

Sophocarpine Monohydrate alleviates non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, which is a resultant effect of non-alcoholic fatty lifer disease. Admission of this compound results in a decrease in liver weight and serum lipids. Antiviral agent, Sophocarpine also displays a profound effect against coxsackievirus and therapeutical effects of viral myocarditis.

References

Orekhov, Proskurnina., Ber., 67,77 (1934)
Proskurnina, Kuzuvkov., Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR, 91, 1145 (1953)
Okuda et al., Chern. & Ind., 1326 (1962)