Alschomine and Isoalschomine, New Alkaloids from the Leaves of Alstonia scholaris

A new indole alkaloid, named alschomine, was obtained from the leaves of Alstonia scholaris planted in Taipei, along with its C-5 isomer, isoalschomine, and the known alkaloids of this plant, picriinine, picralinal and nareline. The structure of alschomine was determined by X-ray analysis, supported by spectral considerations.