Transformation of Alkaloids of the Colchicine Type in Leaves and Flowers of<i>Colchicum autumnale</i>and<i>C. byzantinum</i>

Abstract

It was found that the so far described variations in the content of colchicine alkaloids in leaves and flowers of Colchicum autumnale L. and C. byzantinum Ten. are due to enzymatic O-demethylation and degradation of colchicine (I), N-deacetyl-N-formylcolchicine (XI), and demecolcine (XVII) during drying and storing of the plant material. A simplified method was elaborated to separate the neutral, phenolic, basic, and basic-phenolic fractions of tropolone alkaloids.