IMPROVED INDUSTRIAL PROCESS FOR EXTRACTION OF ALPHA YOHIMBINE FROM RAUWOLFIA SPECIES AND THE EXTRACT THEREOF

The present invention discloses an improved process for the extraction of alpha yohimbine from leaves of Rauwolfia species, preferably Rauwolfia canescens/Rauwolfia tetraphylla. Process involves use of non-polar alcoholic solvent e.g. methanol for precipitating the compound of interest, repetitive washing with halogenated solvents and washing with hexane or petroleum ether to obtain high yields of high purity extract. Use of organic acids such as tartaric acid, acetic acid and organic solvent ethyl acetate etc. is eliminated making the process less time consuming and economical. The yield of the final product is 50-60% higher i.e. 600-670 mg/100 g dry leaves, than prior art process. Further, the extract obtained by the process of present invention contains yohimbine hydrochloride as a marker compound in analytically detectable amounts of more than 0.1% of the extract.