Ajmalicidine an alkaloid from Rauwolfia serpentina

Abstract A new heteroyohimban alkaloid, ajmalicidine, has been isolated from the roots of Rauwolfia serpentina of Thai origin. Its structure has been elucidated as 1-carbomethoxy-17α-hydroxy-16-decarbomethoxy 16,17-dihydro ajmalicine through chemical and spectral studies.