The alkaloidal pattern in the leaves, stem-bark and root-bark ofMitragynaspecies from Ghana

Abstract The leaves, stem-bark and root-bark of Mitragyna ciliata, M. inermis and M. stipulosa have been examined quantitatively and qualitatively for alkaloids. In addition, the plant parts of M. stipulosa collected at 12 regular monthly intervals have been similarly examined. The presence of mitraphylline in the leaves of this plant and the absence of indole alkaloids was confirmed. The predominant leaf alkaloids are oxindoles of the A series, those of the stem- and root-bark, oxindoles of the B series. Whereas the general alkaloidal pattern of M. ciliata appears similar to that of M. inermis rather than M. stipulosa, a more detailed study suggests that M. ciliata and M. inermis have a distinctly different metabolic pattern in relation to the C(9)-OMe alkaloids.