Detection of Pericine, a New CNS-active Indole Alkaloid from Picralima nitida Cell Suspension Culture by Opiate Receptor Binding Studies

Abstract Successive fractionation of a crude methanolic extract of cultured PICRALIMA NITIDA cells accompanied by opiate receptor binding studies led to the detection and isolation of two compounds with opioid activity. The substances were identified as the indole alkaloids pericalline and pericine, the latter, as yet, not described. Half-maximal inhibition (IC 50 ) by the alkaloids was 2.3 µMol/l for pericalline and 0.6 µMol/l for pericine, values which lie within the micromolar range of the weak analgetic codeine (IC 50 : 3.6 µMol/l).