Trichodesma africanum L. (Boraginaceae), a desert plant of Africa and Asia, was found to contain beta-amyrin, beta-methyl oleanate, potassium nitrate and a nitrogen-containing toxin, each producing a notable toxic response when injected in laboratory mice and rats. Muscle contraction and a blood
We have applied a high-speed counter-current chromatography (CCC) technique to the separation and purification of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Amsinckia tessellata, Symphytum spp., Trichodesma incanum (Boraginaceae), and Senecio douglasii var. longilobus (Asteraceae). Alkaloidal fractions were