Oxoaporphine alkaloids and flavonols from Xylopia ferruginea (Annonaceae)

Abstract Xylopia ferruginea (Annonaceae) or locally known as ‘jangkang bukit’ or ‘banitan merah’ (stilt root) is an endemic plant of Malaysia. This species has a unique signature of stilted root that is rusty in colour. Investigation on the crude alkaloids of the stem bark and leaves of X. ferruginea afforded five oxoaporphine alkaloids and three flavonols. The compounds were characterized using various spectroscopic techniques and by comparison of the data with those in literature. Our findings showed that this plant is rich in alkaloids and possessed strong relationship with other Xylopia species. In addition, up to date, O -methylmoschatoline ( 1 ) has only been found in Xylopia species, thus could be considered as a chemical marker for this species.