Studies on the Alkaloids of Thalictrum actaefolium SIEB. et ZUCC. I: On the Quaternary Base. (1)

A quaternary base, berberine (II), was isolated and identified from the whole herb of Thalictrum actaefolium SIEB. et ZUCC. (Japanese name “Shigin-karamatsu”). A quaternary base was also isolated from the root of the same plant growing in Gifu Prefecture but the base did not crystallize. It was identified by derivation to tetrahydroberberine (III) by reduction with zinc dust and acetic acid. Other quaternary bases are under investigation yet due to the minute amount available.