| Abstract Detail
Recent Topics Posters Tembrock, Luke R [1], Broeckling, Corey D [2], Simmons, Mark P [1], Stermitz, Frank R [3]. Employing GC-MS and two-stage derivitization to assay for and quantify cathine and related alkaloids throughout the Celastraceae. Catha edulis (Vahl) Forssk. ex Endl. (qat, khat, mirra) is a woody plant grown and consumed in East Africa and the Southern Arabian Peninsula for its stimulant alkaloids. The alkaloids responsible for the stimulant properties are cathinone, cathine and norephedrine. These alkaloids are structurally and pharmalogically similar to amphetamines. Mention has been made in ethnobotanical literature of other species in the Celastreaceae being used in a similar manner to that of qat. Leaves of these species are chewed or made into a tea to alleviate fatigue and hunger. In addition to ethnobotanical accounts recent phylogenetic reconstructions place the genera Allocassine, Cassine, Lauridia, and Maurocenia in a clade sister to Catha edulis and are thus primary candidates for possession of cathine and related alkaloids. An aqueous alkaline extraction followed by an organic extraction in methyl tert-butyl ether was applied to dried pulverized leaf tissue and dervitized via a two-stage method prior to injection into a GC-MS instrument. This method allows detection and quantification against an internal standard for trace levels of cathine and related alkaloids. Thus far cathinone, cathine, and norephedrine have not been positively identified in species other than Catha edulis. Any species containing cathine and/or cathinone are of concern to drug regulation authorities given the controlled status of cathine and cathinone in numerous countries. Broader Impacts:
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1 - Colorado State University, Department of Biology, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
2 - Colorado State University, Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
3 - Colorado State University, Department of Chemistry, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
Keywords:
Celastraceae
ethnobotany
Phylogeny
cathinone
cathine.
Presentation Type: Recent Topics Poster
Session: P
Location: Khorassan Ballroom/Chase Park Plaza
Date: Monday, July 11th, 2011
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PRT026
Abstract ID:1092 |
