Alkaloids from some Australian Stephania (Menispermaceae) species

The alkaloids from forest vines endemic to eastern Australia, viz Stephania bancroftii F.M. Bailey and S. aculeata F.M. Bailey (Menispermaceae) have been examined. The major alkaloids in the tuber of the former species are (-)-tetrahydropalmatine and (-)-stephanine, whereas these are minor components in the leaves, from which we have characterised a C-7 hydroxylated aporphine. The major tuber alkaloids in S. aculeata are (+)-laudanidine and the morphinoid, (-)-amurine whose X-ray structure is presented