Ricinine and other constituents of Aparisthmium cordatum (Euphorbiaceae)

The chemical study of Aparisthmium cordatum (Euphorbiaceae) led to the isolation of tannins, together with the alkaloid ricinine and other common compounds. The composition of A. cordatum is similar to most of the Alchornea species, from the same subtribe, except for the occurrence of ricinine. This study rectifies the first investigations published for A. cordatum that were conducted with Croton palanostigma. †This article is a contribution for the special issue of Natural Product Research on the 70th birthday of Prof. Dr Atta-ur-Rahman.