Trypargine, a new tetrahydro-β-carboline of animal origin: Isolation and chemical characterization from the skin of the African rhacophorid frog, Kassina senegalensis

A new tetrahydro-,8-carboline derivative, trypargine [l-(3'guanidinopropyl)-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydro-,6'-carboline] was isolated from methanol extracts of the skin of the African rhacophorid frog, Kassina senegafensis.Its structure was deduced by chemical and spectrometric studies with "C-NMR and FD-Mass spectrometry and confirmed by chemical synthesis.Intravenous administration (l0 mg/kg) of trypargine to mice caused death by respiratory failure and paralysis.