Studies on the Constituents of Anona Squamosa L.

Anona squamosa L. (Fam. Anonaceae) has been used in folk medicine1 as amebicide, tonic, astringent and has antitumor activity against Ehrlich cancer cell in mice2,3. In order to search for the active constituents of Formosan antitumor plants, examination was made on the alkaloids of the roots of Anona squamosa L. Seven alkaloids (A‐G) and an non‐alkaloidal compound (H) were isolated from the basic and n‐hexane fraction respectively. Identification of these bases by spectral analysis and direct comparison of their infrared spectra, tlc and mixed melting point have proved to be non‐phenolic anonaine (I), michelalbine (III), oxoushinsunine (liriodenine) (IV) and phenolic L‐(+)‐reticuline (V), anolobine (VI). Examination of other two minor phenolic Base‐D, mp. 224–226°, Base‐E, mp. 231–233° (decomp) and an non‐alkaloidal crystal‐H, mp. 175–176° are now in progress.