SECOBISBENZYLISOQUINOLINE ALKALOIDS - CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGY: A REVIEW

Abstract

Major secobisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids have been reported from the families Berberidaceae and
Annonaceae and to a lesser extent from Menispermaceae, Hernandiaceae, Ranunculaceae, and
Atherospermataceae. A critical study on the structures of these alkaloids indicates that
secobisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids could be the first step towards catabolism of bisbenzylisoquinolines
but unfortunately, very little pharmacological work has been carried out on secobisbenzylisoquinoline
alkaloids. The present review highlights the chemistry and pharmacology of these alkaloids and structures
of common secobisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids isolated from various sources have been reported