Erowid.org: Erowid Reference 8293 : Cactus alkaloidsXLVIIN alpha-dimethylhistamine, a hypotensive component of Echinocereus triglochidiatus : Ferrigni NR, Nichols DE, McLaughlin JL, Bye RA

Erowid References Database

Ferrigni NR, Nichols DE, McLaughlin JL, Bye RA. “Cactus alkaloidsXLVIIN alpha-dimethylhistamine, a hypotensive component of Echinocereus triglochidiatus”. J Ethnopharmacol. 1982 May 26;5(3):359-64. <a name="ref">Ferrigni NR, Nichols DE, McLaughlin JL, Bye RA.</a> <a href="/references/8293">"Cactus alkaloidsXLVIIN alpha-dimethylhistamine, a hypotensive component of Echinocereus triglochidiatus"</a> <i>J Ethnopharmacol</i>. 1982 May 26;5(3):359-64.
Text Abstract (this page) Full Text - English (private) Show Articles by Ferrigni NR Nichols DE McLaughlin JL Bye RA Article IDs Erowid RefID: 8293 PubMedID: 7087506 Collections Hofmann Collection MDMA Collection All References	Abstract Echinocereus triglochidiatus Engelm. var. neomexicanus (Standley) Standley ex W. T. Marshall is believed to cause psychotropic effects when consumed by the Mexican Tarahumara Indians. A phytochemical study was initiated with E. triglochidiatus Engelm. var. paucispinus Engelm. ex W. T. Marshall, which is more abundant in Texas. In the fractionated extracts three compounds, detected by thin-layer chromatography, were positive to Ehrlich's reagent, indicating the possible presence of indole alkaloids; however, a non-Erhlich positive alkaloid was crystallized as the dihydrochloride and subsequently identified (spectrometrically and via synthesis as N alpha, N alpha-dimethylhistamine dihydrochloride. The same compound was then detected chromatographically in the neomexicanus variety. This compound has peripheral hypotensive effects similar to histamine, and this action may help to explain the alleged psychotrophic effects of the cactus.
Comments and Responses to this Article #
Submit Comment

[ Cite HTML ]