Thermal degradation products derived from the smoke of Salvia divinorum leaves

Smoking of Salvia divinorum leaves is the most common method for its psychotropic effects. Eleven thermal degradation products, including a new neoclerodane diterpene derivative, were isolated from the smoke of S. divinorum leaves, and their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their binding affinities at the opioid receptors, and salvinorin A is still the most potent kappa opioid receptor agonist.     

Isoquinoline alkaloids isolated from Corydalis yanhusuo and their binding affinities at the dopamine D1 receptor

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of Corydalis yanhusuo has resulted in the isolation of eight known isoquinoline alkaloids - tetrahydropalmatine, isocorypalmine, stylopine, corydaline, columbamine, coptisin, 13-methylpalmatine, and dehydrocorybulbine. The tertiary alkaloids were further analyzed by chiral HPLC to determine the ratios of d-and l-isomers. The isolated compounds were screened for their binding affinities at the dopamine D(1) receptor. Isocorypalmine had the highest affinity (K(i) = 83 nM). The structure-affinity relationships of these alkaloids are discussed.