présentation concerné les étudiantes de la faculté de pharmacie en troisième année Fait par le professeur Najim Abbas Jabir

1. Indole Alkaloids
ErgotErgot
Prof.as. Najim abbas
Al awwadi
B.Sc., M.Sc., DEA.,
Ph.D. Pharmacology
Paris. France

2. Indole Alkaloids
1- Ergot Alkaloids
• Occurrence:
Ergot is the dried sclerotium of a fungus, Claviceps purpurea (Fam.
Hypocreacea) that arise on the ovaries of the rye plant (Secale cereale, Fam.
Gramineae).
• Consumption of flour contaminated with Ergot led to many serious
intoxications known as (Ergotism- Ignis Fire) in Europe.
• Ergot can be detected in flour by using UV light where contaminated flour
will show violet spots.

3. 1630…fed to animals (all1630…fed to animals (all
died)died)
1909…tyramine1909…tyramine
1910…histamine1910…histamine
1884…calmodulin1884…calmodulin
alkaloidalkaloid
1906-1918…ergotoxine1906-1918…ergotoxine
andand
ergotamineergotamine
History of ClinicalHistory of Clinical
TrialsTrials

5. The ErgotThe Ergot
AlkaloidsAlkaloids
•• Structure based on indole ringStructure based on indole ring
•• Starting amino acid is tryptophanStarting amino acid is tryptophan
•• All ergot alkaloids are derivatives ofAll ergot alkaloids are derivatives of
(+)-Lysergic Acid(+)-Lysergic Acid

6.  INDOLE DERIVATIVES
e.g. :
1. ergometrine,
2. ergotamine,
3. reserpine,
4. vincristine,
5. vinblastine

7. • Classification of Ergot Alkaloids:
A- Clavine Type Alkaloids:
Simple water soluble bases with little medicinal value. All end
with “clavine: e.g. Agroclavine.
B- Lysergic acid Amides:
They are all derivatives of (l)-Lysergic acid and subclassified into:
1- Simple lysergic acid amides:
Composed of Lysergic acid and simple amines.
2- Polypeptide Alkaloids:
Composed of Lysergic acid and at least 3 amino acids.

8. • General Characters:
 Ergot alkaloids are N-monosubstituted amide derivatives of both lysergic
acid and its isomer isolysergic acid that differ only in configuration at C-8.
 On treatment with ammonia, lysergic and isolysergic acids give the
corresponding amides ergine and isoergine respectively.
 Members related to lysergic acid (e.g. ergotamine and ergometrine) are
levorotatory, more active and designated by suffix “ine”.
 Members related to isolysergic acid (e.g. ergotaminine and ergometrinine),
are dextrorotatory, less active and designated by suffix “inine”.
N
H
N CH3
COOH
10
8
N
H
N CH3
COOH
N
H
N CH3
CONH2
Lysergic acid Isolysergic acid Ergine

9. 1- Simple Lysergic acid amides
• Characters:
1- Composed of Lysergic acid and simple amines.
2- Low molecular weight.
3- Water Soluble.
Ergonovine (Ergometrine)
 Composed of (l)-lysergic acid and 2-aminopropanol.
 Its (d) isomer is called Ergometrinine.
• Uses:
It causes vigorous contraction of the uterus.
It is mainly used as an oxytocic in order to aid
delivery or to prevent postpartum hemorrhage.
N
H
N CH3
COHNHCH2C
10
8
CH3OH
Ergonovine (l) (Ergometrine)
Ergonovinine (d) (Ergometrinine)
=
=

10. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
 It is a semisynthetic product.
 LSD has potent CNS stimulant effect.
 LSD is one of the abused drugs.
N
H
N CH3
CON
10
8
C2H5
C2H5

11. 2- Polypeptide Alkaloids
• Characters:
 They are derivatives of Lysergic acid with a complex
polypeptides of at least 3 amino acids.
 They have high molecular weight.
 They are insoluble in water.
 This class include medicinally important members.

12. Ergotamine
• Characters:
 Its (d) isomer is called Ergotaminine.
 The peptide moiety is composed of 3 amino acids:
1. α-Hydroxyalanine
2. Proline
3. Phenylalanine
• Uses:
Treatment of migraine as it constricts
the peripheral blood vessels.
Has some oxytocic (ecobolic) activity.
N
H
N CH3
CO
O
N
N
OH
CH3
CH2
O
O
10
8
9

13.  Structure Activity Relationship:
 Lysergic acid must be in the (l) form. The (d) isomers are
inactive.
 Saturation of the 9- 10 double bond of Ergotamine gives
Dihydroergotamine, a compound with antimigraine effect
but no oxytocic effect.
N
H
N CH3
CO
O
N
N
OH
CH3
CH2
O
O
10
8
9

14.  Stability:
• The active (l) form convert to the (d) isomer by the effect of
Alkalis or prolonged storage in alcohol.
• Addition of water to the 9- 10 double bond takes place in aqueous
acidic solutions, upon exposure to day or UV light. The resulted
Lumi alkaloids are inactive.
N CH3
C
O
N CH3
C
N CH3
C
O
10
8
10
8
10
8
H H
R RR
HO
(l) form (d) form
N CH3
C
O
10
8
H
R
HO

15. • Tests for identification:
 Van-Urk's Reagent (p-dimethyl aminobenzaldehyde (PDAB) in
15% H2SO4, containing traces of FeCl3) + Alkaloid → Deep blue
color.
 Erlich Reagent (p-dimethyl aminobenzaldehyde (PDAB) in H2SO4) +
Alkaloid → Deep blue colour.
 Keller’s test: Solution of the alkaloids in acetic acid with traces of
FeCl3 + concentrated H2SO4 on the wall of the test tube → blue
layer is formed between the two phases.

16. GeneralGeneral
Biosynthesis ofBiosynthesis of
AlkaloidsAlkaloids

17. Important DerivativesImportant Derivatives
Natural Products:Natural Products:
ErgonovineErgonovine
ErgotamineErgotamine
Semisynthetic Products:Semisynthetic Products:
Methylergonovine maleateMethylergonovine maleate
Dihydroergotamine mesylateDihydroergotamine mesylate
Lysergic acid diethylamineLysergic acid diethylamine
Synthetic Products:Synthetic Products:
sumatriptan (Imitrexsumatriptan (Imitrex®)®)

19. Peripheral Effects
• smooth muscle contractionssmooth muscle contractions
• Cures migraine headachesCures migraine headaches
• lowers blood pressurelowers blood pressure
• extracts usedextracts used
•Ergotamine tartrate + caffeineErgotamine tartrate + caffeine
•dihydroergotaminedihydroergotamine

20. Uterotonic Effects
•childbirthchildbirth
•accelerate childbirthaccelerate childbirth
•arrest hemorrhagingarrest hemorrhaging
•Extracts usedExtracts used
•ergonovine maleateergonovine maleate
•ergometrineergometrine
•ergotamine (prolonged effects)ergotamine (prolonged effects)

21. Neurohormonal Effects
Serotonin antagonism
•ExtractExtract
•methysergidemethysergide
•TreatmentsTreatments
•prophylaxis for migraineprophylaxis for migraine
•carciniod syndromecarciniod syndrome
•rhuematic affectionsrhuematic affections

22. Neurohormonal Effects
Adrenergic blockade
•TreatmentsTreatments
•high blood pressurehigh blood pressure
•cerebral circulatory disorderscerebral circulatory disorders
•vascular disordersvascular disorders
•cervical syndromecervical syndrome
•Extracts usedExtracts used
•dihydroergocorninedihydroergocornine
•dihydroergokryptinedihydroergokryptine
•dihydroergocristinedihydroergocristine

23. Central Effects
Bulbomedullary effects
•EffectsEffects
•bradycardiabradycardia
•vomitingvomiting
•inhibition of vasomotor centerinhibition of vasomotor center
•inhibition of pressoreceptor reflexesinhibition of pressoreceptor reflexes
•ExtractsExtracts
•ergot alkaloids aloneergot alkaloids alone
•(has sedative effect)(has sedative effect)

24. Central Effects
Mesodrencephalic effects
•EffectsEffects
•hyperthermiahyperthermia
•hyperglycemiahyperglycemia
•mydriasismydriasis
•piloerectionpiloerection
•tachypneatachypnea
•hyperreflexiahyperreflexia
•general motorgeneral motor
•hyperactivityhyperactivity •ExtractExtract
•lysergidelysergide