Paper Chromatographic and Biological Properties of Reserpine and Related Compounds

Abstract

LITTLE is known of the metabolism (in man and experimental animals) of the alkaloids of Rauwolfia serpentina. We are particularly interested in the reported antifertility effects of reserpine in rats¹ and the mechanisms of sedative action² of Rauwolfia serpentina alkaloids in schizophrenic patients. Reserpine is known³ to be hydrolysed in vivo to methyl reserpate and presumably trimethoxybenzoic acid. The latter compound has been shown⁴ to influence certain enzyme systems in vitro which are of importance in relation to the mode of action of œstrogens on the uterus. Using a fertility performance test, we have studied the effects of the administration to male and female rats of daily oral doses of 80–100 mgm. of sodium trimethoxybenzoate given over a period of ten weeks. Since no alteration in fertility was observed, we conclude that reserpine itself or some polycyclic metabolite is responsible for the observations of previous workers¹.