Indole Alkaloids from Cell Suspension Cultures of Stemmadenia tomentosa and Voacanga africana

Cell suspension cultures of Stemmadenia tomentosa synthesized under normal growth condition the eight major indole alkaloids: (-)-tabersonine, (-)-minovincinine, (+)-conoflorine (voaphyl-line), condylocarpine, (+)-tubotaiwine (dihydrocondylocarpine), (-)-norfluorocurarine (vin-canine), (-)-vinervine, and (-)-coronaridine. These alkaloids consist of the three different types, Aspidosperma, Strychnos and Iboga. In contrast, cultures o f Voacanga africana produced mainly one alkaloid group (Aspidosperma-type) represented by (-)-tabersonine, lochnericine and (-)-minovincinine. Therefore this cell culture seems to be qualified for investigation concerning the biosynthesis of Aspidosperma alkaloids.